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Anand tops world rapid chess ratings

India's Vishwanathan Anand, with a high ELO rating of 2840, has topped the world rapid chess ratings, released by the Federation International de Echecs (FIDE).

World No 2 in classical chess, Anand, often called "Speedy Gonzales" for his lightning play, became the first person to cross the magical 2800 mark in rapid chess.

"I am happy about the release of a new rating list for rapid chess. Being rated number one is really nice," said Anand from Dortmund, where he is playing the eight-player Category 19 Dortmund Chess Days tournament.

''I hope to achieve this in the other rating list too,'' he added.

Though rating lists have been released for classical chess since 1971, this was for the first time that the FIDE has released a rating list for rapid chess events.

All rapid chess events with a time limit of 30 minutes have been included in the ratings. The first list included over 20 tournaments.

Vladimir Kraminik of Russia, with an ELO rating of 2760, was placed second, while his compatriot Anatoly Karpov was in the sixth position, with a rating of 2700.

The list features over 1000 players who have participated in 30 minute events. Eleven events have been rated in the list.

Following are the top ten players, with ELO ratings, in the list:

1. Vishwanathan Anand (India) 2840, 2. Vladimir Kraminik (Russia) 2760, 3. Boris Gelfand (Israel) 2730, 4. A Shirov (Spain) 2720, 5. P Svidler (Russia) 2720, 6. Anatoly Karpov (Russia) 2700, 7. V Topalov (Bulgaria) 2700, 8. V.Ivanchuk (Ukraine) 2690, 9. L Van Wely (The Netherlands) 2650, 10.U Anderson (Sweden) 2630.

UNI