Viswanathan Anand retained his world title by defeating Boris Gelfand in a tense tiebreaker in Moscow on Wednesday.

Anand led 2-1 going into the fourth game of the tie-breaker, which was set up after a tied 6-6 result with his Israeli challenger Boris in the 12th and final game in Moscow on Monday, and finished the fourth game 2.5 to 1.5.

Anand, playing his third match since winning the world title in a tournament format in 2007, won the second game and drew the first and third to move close to the title. Gelfand tried hard in the fourth game, and had several chances to press home the advantage, but failed in his bid as Anand defended well.

Prime Minister congratulates Viswanathan Anand

The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has congratulated Mr. Viswanathan Anand for winning the fifth World Chess Championship.

The Prime Minister said, “You are a great inspiration to the youth of our country, particularly the sports enthusiasts. You have made the nation proud of you with this monumental achievement. I wish you many more successes in the future.”