Viswanathan Anand Defeats 60,000 Opponents in Online ‘Vote Chess’ Match

Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand showcased his exceptional chess skills by defeating over 60,000 opponents from the online chess community in a special online ‘Vote Chess’ match. The match, which began on September 30, saw Anand playing with white pieces and achieving a checkmate in just 24 moves.

The game was organized to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the historic Kasparov vs The World match, where former world champion Garry Kasparov took on over 50,000 voters on the Microsoft Network (MSN) and emerged victorious after four months and 62 moves. Kasparov himself hailed it as “the greatest game in the history of chess.”

In this unique match hosted by Chess.com, Anand’s opponents had the opportunity to vote for their next move against him. With each side allotted a full day to make a single move, the 60,000+ players facing Anand strategized collectively to outwit the Indian legend. The World team, supported by four coaches, engaged in discussions and exchanged ideas in the system’s comments section to try and outmaneuver Anand.

Anand surprised his opponents by opting for the English Opening with his pawn to the c4 square, deviating from his usual 1…e4 move. This strategic choice allowed his queen more freedom to attack while limiting black’s response options. As the game progressed, Anand strategically positioned his pieces to put pressure on the World’s king.

By the 15th move, the World team had gained a significant advantage with three extra pawns. However, Anand’s calculated moves saw his queen and rook cornering the opponent’s king, ultimately leading to a checkmate. The World’s queen was left isolated on the board, unable to prevent Anand’s decisive victory.

Anand’s triumph over 60,000 players in this online ‘Vote Chess’ match highlights his exceptional skill and strategic prowess in the game of chess.