Viswanathan Anand Wins 2010 World Chess Championship

The 2010 World Chess Championship was held from April 24 to May 13 in Sofia, Bulgaria, between reigning champion Viswanathan Anand of India and challenger Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria. The match was played over 12 classical games, and it proved to be one of the most dramatic title defenses in recent history. After a tense back-and-forth battle, the score was tied at 5½–5½ going into the final game. In a decisive moment, Anand boldly played for a win with the black pieces in Game 12 and succeeded, finishing the match with a 6½–5½ victory. This triumph marked Anand’s successful defense of his world title, reinforcing his reputation as a versatile and courageous player. His victory was celebrated worldwide, particularly in India, where he remained a national icon.