‘Tomorrow is always fresh, with no mistakes in it yet’ -LM Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables
The year 2014 is closing. It has been described as an annus horribilis. The list of horrors spans the globe, but chess, in contrast, was soothing to the mind. During the year, we were fortunate to play the royal game cheerfully, amidst the turmoil of a corrupt world. A light shone brilliantly for 2014 when FIDE, the World Chess Federation, brought 170 nations together in August to Tromso, Norway, for an Olympiad. It was a wonderful sight to behold in a restless, and otherwise reckless, universe. Some of those participating nations at the Olympiad were engulfed in wars or controversies, like Afghanistan, Iran, Israel, the Palestinian territories, Syria, Pakistan and Iraq, among others. Yet they made strenuous efforts to compete fully. Guyana was also present at the Olympiad following 34 interminable years of non-participation.
The world championship title did not change hands and Magnus Carlsen is still the reigning champion. Vishy Anand came better prepared this time around, but he failed in his bid to dethrone the champ. Anand struck powerfully in game three, outplaying the Norwegian grandmaster. He blundered, however, when given an opportunity to surge ahead at the halfway mark as India held its breath. Anand proceeded to lose the game, and ultimately, the match. Analysts have contended the 12-game match is too short to facilitate any serious comeback