Chennai: World champion Viswanathan Anand started his title defense in style, holding off world number one Magnus Carlsen of Norway to a draw in quick time in the first game of the World chess championship here today.
Anand, with black pieces, showed the world that he has come well prepared for the most challenging match yet.
The Indian gave no chance to Carlsen who started with the Reti opening and got nothing with his first white game.
The quick draw, lasting a mere 16 moves, proved Anand's preparation right as Magnus spent more time on the clock in the opening and still could not get the complicated and sometimes lifeless positions wherein he famously outplays opposition.
