Held in Moscow's Tretyakov Gallery, Anand's defence against the veteran Boris Gelfand went the classical distance level at 6–6 — including the shortest decisive game in championship history — before the champion's rapid-play class settled it 2½–1½.
The surprise challenger
Boris Gelfand, at 43, had won the 2011 Candidates to earn a title shot few had expected him to reach. The classical match was cautious — six opening draws — before Gelfand drew first blood in game seven.
Anand answered immediately: in game eight, Gelfand's queen was trapped on move 17, the shortest decisive game ever played in a World Championship.
Rapid resolution
Four more draws left the classical games tied 6–6. Anand, long one of the finest rapid players in the world, was the clear favourite in the playoff — and a win in the second rapid game carried him to a 2½–1½ tiebreak and another successful defence.
It was the last title Anand would hold; the following year he lost the crown to Magnus Carlsen.
Cross table
This archive holds 16 of the 12 match games; the official score above is authoritative.
1 win · ½ draw · 0 loss — click a game number to replay it.