World Chess Championship 2013: Game 1 - Anand holds Carlsen to draw with black pieces

Officials watch as India’s Viswanathan Anand (L) and Norway’s Magnus Carlsen (R) compete in their championship match in Chennai on November 9, 2013.

The first game of the World Chess Championship between India’s Viswanathan Anand and Norway’s Magnus Carlsen being held in Chennai ended in a draw.

Anand, the reigning World Champion, was playing with the black pieces while Carlsen, the challenger, had the white pieces.

The match did not prove to be a thrilling encounter the fans expected as it ended after 32 moves. Carlsen had no choice but to accept a draw by repetition in 16 moves and this will certainly be a morale boosting draw for Anand as he was playing with the black pieces.

The second game of the 12 match encounter will take place tomorrow and Anand will be playing with the white pieces.