Anand earned an immediate rematch by winning the 2014 Candidates, and pushed Carlsen far harder than in Chennai. Game six turned on a double blunder — Carlsen left a winning tactic hanging and Anand never saw it — and Carlsen went on to retain his title.
A tougher fight
Anand had rebounded from losing his crown by dominating the 2014 Candidates, and in Sochi he looked a different challenger. Carlsen drew first blood in game two, but Anand hit straight back in game three to level the match — the first time anyone had beaten Carlsen in a title game.
The match was level at 3–3 going into the sixth game.
The turning point
Game six produced one of the most extraordinary moments in championship history. Carlsen played the careless 26.Kd2, leaving 26...Nxe5 — a shot that would have won for Anand on the spot. Anand, short of time and not expecting the gift, missed it and replied 26...a4; Carlsen recovered and won the game.
The reprieve was decisive. Carlsen added a clinching win in game eleven to seal the match 6½–4½, retaining the title and confirming that the Chennai result had been no fluke.
Cross table
1 win · ½ draw · 0 loss — click a game number to replay it.