Anand and Carlsen set for world chess battle

CHENNAI: Reigning world chess champion Viswanathan Anand will open the defence of his crown against Norwegian sensation Magnus Carlsen at home in Chennai later on Saturday in a battle that favours the challenger.

The 12-game showpiece, spread over three weeks, will be held at a local luxury hotel from 3pm (0930 GMT), watched by a select gathering of 350 inside the main hall and by thousands on live television.

Anand, 43, has been the game's undisputed champion since 2007, but experts predict the end of the road for the Indian against current world number one Carlsen, who is 21 years younger.

The 12-game format, where one point is awarded for a win and half a point for a draw, means the first man to reach 6.5 points will be declared the winner.

If points are equal after the 12th game on November 26, the match will be decided by a sudden death game on Nov 28.

The total prize fund for the title clash is approximately $2.24 million, with the winner getting 60 percent and the loser taking home the rest. (AFP)