PM congratulates chess champion Anand

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday congratulated world number one Viswanathan Anand on winning the World Chess Championship in Mexico City.

"It brings great joy to me personally and to all Indians that you have won the World Chess Championship," said Singh.

"It is indeed a moment of pride for the nation. I wish you continued success in the years to come," he said.

Grandmaster Anand replaced Vladimir Kramnik of Russia as the new champion late Saturday evening after he finished the tournament with nine points out of a possible 14, a full point ahead of previous title-holder Boris Gelfand of Israel.

Anand, one of only four players in chess history to have gone past the 2,800-elo ratings barrier, took home a cheque of $390,000.