Defending Chess World Champion Viswanathan Anand of India thinks over his next move during his 9th game against his Russian challenger Vladimir Kramnik at the Chess World Championships in Bonn October 26, 2008. REUTERS/Wolfgang Rattay

BONN, Germany (Reuters) - Indian world chess champion Viswanathan Anand defeated Russia’s Vladimir Kramnik in a match-play series to retain his title in Bonn, Germany on Wednesday.

Anand, who won the official title in Mexico last year, defeated Kramnik 6.5-4.5 after a draw in the penultimate game to take an unassailable lead in the 12-match contest.