Viswanathan Anand vs Magnus Carlsen: Anand Calls Heartbreaking Loss on Time “A Pity”

By Sports Bureau | New Delhi Chronicle

In the fast-paced world of modern chess, terminology constantly adapts to the intensity of the game. One term that has gained standard use is “flagging”—the act of winning a match purely because an opponent’s clock reaches 0:00, regardless of the board’s evaluation.

Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand recently experienced this firsthand in a thrilling match against long-time rival Magnus Carlsen. Anand ran out of time in a tense endgame position, prompting him to reflect on the dramatic finish, calling the ultimate outcome “a pity.”

Despite the razor-thin tactical victory on time, Carlsen praised the intensity of the matchup and lauded India’s deep passion and growing love for chess, acknowledging the vibrant culture that continues to produce world-class grandmasters.