Checkmate: Norwegian Magnus Carlsen is new world champion of chess

Nov. 22 (UPI) -- Chess has a new world champion and his name is Magnus Carlsen.

The 22-year-old Norwegian prodigy defeated 43-year-old Indian title-holder Viswanathan Anand in 10 games to win the World Chess Championship during a match in Chennai, India.

Carlsen now has the highest chess rating of all time. With the victory, he nearly became the youngest chess champ in history, but missed out on that honor by a few weeks to Russian Garry Kasparov.

After the win, Carlsen said he was "Very, very happy to have won and to have completed this match. Let's write the history books later!"

When it appeared that he was close to winning, Carlsen remarked, "This was a very difficult game. There was a fear of being mated all the time.”

Chess champion Susan Polgar described Carlsen as "having a different style and a very good sense of humor.” She added that the former GQ cover boy will be a "good boost for chess.”

Anand praised his opponent. "It's clear that he dominated,” he said. Anand, who was ranked number eight in the world, was credited for his effort.

"He's a legend, and he's done a lot for chess in India and Asia, so he's a fantastic role model," Polgar said.

[BBC]