Russian deputy PM lauds Karjakin for World Chess performance

Russian Grandmaster Sergey Karjakin played well against Norways Magnus Carlsen for the title of the World Chess Champion in New York, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Mutko has said.

Reigning World Chess Champion Carlsen retained his title on Wednesday, defeating the Russian challenger 3-1 in a series of tie-break's rapid games and sealing the final score of the match at 9-7.

"I watched the match on-line," Mutko, who oversees the issues regarding sports, tourism and youth policies in Russia, said in an interview with TASS. "Tie-break is the challenge, which requires vast experience," told TASS on Thursday.

"On the whole, Sergey played decently, he was very close to the victory and gained ample experience," Mutko said. "I hope that all his plans and dreams will come true and want to thank him for the match."

On November 28, Carlsen and Karjakin finished their 12th and final game of the World Chess Championship Match in New York with a draw. Their overall score after 12 games played was tied at 6-6 and both Grandmasters went for the series of tie-break games to finally decide on the title.

Wednesday's tie-breaker in New York was the third in the history of chess championships. The first one was in 2006, when Russia's Vladimir Kramnik beat Bulgaria's Veselin Topalov, and the second one was in 2012, when Israel's Boris Gelfand was defeated by India's Viswanathan Anand.

Carlsen, who also celebrated his 26th birthday on Wednesday, became the 16th World Chess Champion after beating Viswanathan Anand in 2013 and defended the title twice since then.

--IANS

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