Bobby Fischer,
Gary Kasparov
– and Boris Gelfand? After beating reigning world champion Viswanathan Anand in game 7 of the World Chess Championship, the Israeli chess
player has taken a giant step toward making history and being crowned World Chess Champion.
After six stalemates in the championship, currently underway in Moscow,
Gelfand confounded expectations and secured a 4:3 advantage in the series.
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Gelfand took advantage of being white and secured his first win against Anand since 1993. The two have five games more to play. If they end in draws, Gelfand will become the first Israeli to take the world chess crown.
The next game is slated for Monday, with Anand playing white. The upcoming games are expected to be particularly exciting.
Gelfand faces off against Anand. (Photo: EPA)
If he wins the championship, Gelfand will take home not only the title and the honor, but also 60% of the total $2.55 million in prize money. The first player to accumulate 6.5 points will win in a face-off. If after 12 games neither Gelfand nor Anand emerges the victor, the two will play a speed game of 25 minutes per player with an additional 10 seconds per move.
Gelfand is ranked No. 20 in the world. He reached the finals of the World Chess Championship after beating some of the best players in the world, including the second and third-ranked players. Anand is currently ranked No. 4 in the world.
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