Viswanathan Anand

Viswanathan Anand is an Indian chess grandmaster, born on December 11, 1969, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest chess players of all time. Anand began his professional career with early successes in national championships before taking the international chess world by storm. He is known for his rapid playing speed, deep understanding of the game, and versatility. He has won numerous individual awards, including five World Chess Championships, and holds multiple records, such as being the first player to have won the World Championship in three different formats: Knockout, Tournament, and Match.

Off the board, Anand is also recognized for his philanthropy and influence, making significant charitable contributions and inspiring millions worldwide.

Early Career in India

• Anand was born and raised in Chennai and showed an early aptitude for chess. He became the youngest Indian to win the title of International Master at the age of fifteen. He also won the National Sub-Junior Chess Championship with a perfect score of 9/9.

Grandmaster Title

• Anand became India's first grandmaster in 1988. He also won the World Junior Chess Championship, making him the first Asian to achieve this feat.

World Chess Championships

• Anand won the FIDE World Chess Championship in 2000. He later secured the undisputed World Championship title in 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2012, making him the undisputed World Champion for five years.

Later Career

• Despite facing fierce competition from younger players, Anand remains a formidable player well into his fifties, competing at the highest level and consistently ranked among the world's top players.

International Achievements

• Anand has represented India at multiple Chess Olympiads, securing the country's first ever Olympiad medal in 2014.
• He has also achieved notable successes in other international tournaments such as the Corus chess tournament and Grenke Chess Classic.

• Style: Known for his rapid playing speed and deep understanding of the game. Anand is celebrated for his versatility, able to adapt to different styles of play.
• Strengths: Anand is particularly known for his exceptional endgame skills and opening preparation, regularly catching opponents off guard with his innovative strategies.

• Family: Anand is married to Aruna Anand and they have a son.
• Philanthropy: Anand is involved in various charitable activities, particularly in the field of education. He has also launched chess programs in Indian schools to promote the game among young students.

• Viswanathan Anand is celebrated not only for his extraordinary talent and numerous records but also for his sportsmanship, humility, and longevity in professional chess. His impact on the sport and his status as an icon extend beyond the chessboard, inspiring millions of fans around the world.

World Chess Championships:

• Winner in 2000, 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2012

Chess Olympiad:

• Gold medal in 2014

Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna:

• Winner in 1991-92

Padma Vibhushan:

• Awarded in 2007

Books

• Anand, V. (2017) Mind Master: Winning Lessons from a Champion's Life. Hachette India.
• Nielsen, P. H. (2012) Viswanathan Anand: World Chess Champion. Quality Chess UK LLP.

Websites

• FIDE: Information about Viswanathan Anand’s international career and achievements. Available at: https://www.fide.com
• Chess.com: Details about Anand’s career and game analyses. Available at: https://www.chess.com

Articles

• ChessBase: Viswanathan Anand: Career in numbers. Available at: https://en.chessbase.com/post/viswanathan-anand-career-in-numbers
• The Guardian: Viswanathan Anand’s career highlights and records. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/viswanathan-anand

Interviews and Documentaries

• Algorythm (2019): Directed by Anand Gandhi. This documentary provides a detailed look at Anand’s life and career, featuring interviews with his family, friends, and colleagues.
• Various interviews and features on Viswanathan Anand, covering different aspects of his career. Available at: https://www.chess.com