Kramnik-Anand encounter possible in July: FIDE President

President of the World Chess governing body (FIDE), Kirsan Ilyumzhinov has said a "world prestige match" between World Champion Viswanathan Anand and BrainGames World champion Vladimir Kramnik could be staged in July next year.

"A world prestige match between the FIDE champion and Kramnik is possible in July," Ilyumzhinov said after crowning Anand with 15th World Champion title at a glittering ceremony in Teheran on Wednesday .

Anand defeated Latvia-born Spaniard Alexei Shirov 3.5-0.5 in a six-game final here this week to become first Asian ever to don the mantle of world champion.

The Indian Grandmaster, however, declined to say whether he would play against the rival world supremo, Kramnik, who upstaged Garry Kasparov in a 16-game final in November.

"Anand richly deserves the world champion title," Ilyumzhinov said after handing over the coveted gold medal for the Indian's exploits at a glittering ceremony here last night.

Anand was a picture of cheer as he received gifts with his usual politeness and panache. He was flooded with Persian carpets and art works at a packed gathering of Indian families and school children.

Shirov received silver medal from the FIDE president. Praising the triumphant Indian, Ilyumzhinov said "I think he (Anand) had a fancy for the number 15, that is why he didn't take it before."