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Viswanathan Anand: The Chess Grandmaster Who Transformed India’s Board Game Legacy
On a humid December evening in 2000, as Viswanathan Anand delivered the decisive blow against Alexei Shirov in the World Chess Championship final, he wasn’t just claiming a title—he was shattering centuries of Soviet and Russian dominance in chess. Anand broke the Soviet/Russian dominance of chess in 2000 by becoming world champion, fourteen years after becoming India’s no.1 as a sixteen-year-old. This historic victory marked the emergence of the first Asian world champion and ignited what would become known as the “Indian chess revolution.” Today, as India celebrates unprecedented success in chess championships and the Chess Olympiad, the foundation laid by this Chennai-born prodigy continues to inspire a new generation of grandmasters who dominate international competition.
The Lightning Kid’s Journey to Greatness
Viswanathan Anand was born on December 11, 1969, in Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, India. His chess journey began at the tender age of six when his mother, Sushila, introduced him to the game. Known for his rapid playing speed as a child, Anand earned the sobriquet “Lightning Kid” during his early career in the 1980s. This nickname would prove prophetic, as speed and tactical brilliance became hallmarks of his playing style.
By the time he was 15, he was already an International Master after winning the 1984 Asian Junior Championship for players under 20. His meteoric rise continued as he dominated the Indian chess scene, winning the national championship three consecutive times from 1986 to 1988. In 1988 Anand earned his GM title. At just 18 years old, he became India’s first grandmaster, a historic achievement that would open doors for countless future Indian chess players.
The early 1990s saw Anand establishing himself on the global stage. His breakthrough came at the prestigious Hoogovens tournament in the Netherlands, where he tied for first place in 1989. This victory at Wijk aan Zee was the first of five first-place finishes at the tournament, cementing his reputation among the world’s elite players.
Championship Glory and Historic Achievements
Anand is a five-time World Chess Champion, a two-time World Rapid Chess Champion, a two-time Chess World Cup Champion, a World Blitz Chess Cup Champion and six-time Chess Oscar Winner. His first world championship came in 2000 when he defeated Alexei Shirov in the FIDE World Championship. He delivered on his promise by winning seven straight matches, including the final against Alexei Shirov (3½-½), and taking the title.
However, it was his 2007 victory that truly established his legacy. He became the undisputed world champion in 2007 and defended his title against Vladimir Kramnik in 2008, Veselin Topalov in 2010, and Boris Gelfand in 2012. Each defense was a masterclass in preparation and execution, showcasing different aspects of his chess genius.
The 2008 championship against Vladimir Kramnik demonstrated Anand’s strategic innovation. Anand credits this win to one big change he had made after his win in 2007, that he would switch from the 1.e4 opening (queen’s pawn). This tactical switch caught Kramnik off-guard and led to a convincing 6½-4½ victory.
Perhaps his most dramatic championship defense came in 2010 against Veselin Topalov in Sofia, Bulgaria. Anand had requested for a postponement of the world championships by a few days, as he was unable to board his flight from Frankfurt to Sofia, due to volcanic ash spewing from Eyjafjallajökul in Iceland. What followed was an extraordinary journey. Following a 40-hour road trip through multiple countries to reach Sofia, Anand played the first game which was delayed by a day. Despite these challenges and losing the opening game, Anand regrouped to win the match 6½-5½, proving his mental fortitude under pressure.
He has since developed into a universal player, and many consider him the greatest rapid chess player of his generation. His dominance in rapid chess is unparalleled, with victories in the World Rapid Chess Championship in 2003 and 2017, along with the World Blitz Chess Cup in 2000.
Recognition and National Impact
Anand’s achievements transcended chess, earning him recognition as one of India’s greatest sportspersons. Anand was the first recipient of the Khel Ratna Award in 1991–92, India’s highest sporting honour. In 2007, he was awarded India’s second-highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan, making him the first sportsperson to receive the award.
His impact on Indian chess cannot be overstated. He is known as the “One man Indian Chess revolution” whose ambition it is to be able to take chess to the grass roots level. Before Anand, India had virtually no presence in international chess. His success inspired an entire generation of players, leading to what FIDE has called the “father of the Indian chess boom.”
The transformation is remarkable: from a country with a single grandmaster in 1988 to becoming a chess powerhouse. India displayed a stupendous performance at the ongoing International Chess Federation (FIDE) Chess Olympiad in Budapest to claim two gold medals in both men’s and women’s events on Sunday. This historic double gold at the 2024 Chess Olympiad represents the culmination of decades of growth that began with Anand’s pioneering achievements.
Continuing Influence and Modern Role
Even in his 50s, Anand remains actively involved in chess. In 2022, he was elected deputy president of FIDE. His role as an administrator allows him to shape the future of the game globally while continuing to mentor young Indian talents.
Taking to his official X handle, Viswanathan Anand hailed India’s women’s team. His congratulatory messages to the 2024 Chess Olympiad champions reflect his ongoing pride in Indian chess achievements. The presence of players like D Gukesh, R Praggnanandhaa, and Arjun Erigaisi at the highest levels of world chess demonstrates the lasting impact of the pathway Anand created.
Anand has the eighth-highest FIDE rating of all time, an impressive 2817, achieved in March 2011. His longevity at the highest levels of chess is unprecedented, maintaining competitive excellence well beyond the typical peak years for chess professionals.
Legacy of the Chess Revolutionary
Viswanathan Anand’s legacy extends far beyond his five world championship titles and numerous tournament victories. He is the only World Champion to have taken the World Championship title in three formats, knockout, tournament, and a classical match. This versatility showcased his adaptability and complete mastery of chess in all its competitive forms.
More importantly, Anand transformed chess from an elite European and Soviet pursuit into a global phenomenon with India at its heart. His influence on the Chess Olympiad and championship circuits continues to resonate as Indian teams now consistently compete for the highest honors. The 2024 Chess Olympiad double gold represents not just current success, but the fruition of a vision that began when a six-year-old boy learned chess from his mother in Chennai. Viswanathan Anand didn’t just master chess—he revolutionized it, ensuring that the ancient game’s future would be shaped by the land of its birth.
