The two players met in the final of the Arctic Securities Chess Stars in Kristiansund, on the North coast of Norway. Carlsen struck in the first game of the final when he beat Anand in 54 moves of the King’s Indian Defence. The first game between Carlsen and Anand ended with a draw.
It is expected that the two talents will meet again in finals in the World Championship next year. Anand has been the world champion since 2007, and Carlsen is top ranked on the world ranking list. It is the first time the reigning World Champion and the top ranked player in the world play in the same tournament on Norwegian soil.