Last Thursday began the first round of the Chess World Championship in Mexico City. After decades of having two World Champions, last year we finally had a reunification. But this reunification ended up being more polemic than what anyone could have expected. That means that chess has not achieved its inner peace yet.

The World Championship is being disputed among eight players and one of them is World Champion Vladimir Kramnik. It is the last time this system is going to be used. From now on the world championship will be a one on one event again. The World Chess Federation (FIDE) was the one to change the format of the championship and it has been proved that it was a mistake. More interesting by far is to make the World Champion play against a candidate alone. That is when people identify themselves with one of the players and when fans really pay attention. But as I say, that will be next time. Now we are in Mexico with eight challengers: World Champion Vladimir Kramnik (Russia), Viswanathan “Vishy” Anand (India), Boris Gelfand (Israel), Alexander Grischuk (Russia), Peter Leko (Hungary), Peter Svidler (Russia), Alexander Morozevich (Russia) and Levon Aronian (Armenia).

The two favorites to win the tournament are Vishy Anand and Vladimir Kramnik. Anand is currently number one on the FIDE list with the highest ELO‑ level: 2792. Kramnik is also a favorite because after becoming World Champion, he did not low his playing level. In fact, some say he is playing better than ever.

The truth is that the first round was rather disappointing. The four games ended up in quick and undisputed drawn games. The favorites’ roles were even more disappointing. Kramnik accepted to draw his game against Peter Svidler when the position was as hot as fire and anything could happen. I tell you, to see a world champion do that really kills me.

Anand played the game we are presenting today. Pay attention to the last move–it’s very interesting. Gelfand accepted the draw after missing the possibility of winning a pawn. It is like he was intimidated by Vishy.

Carlos García Hernández