Viswanathan Anand: India's First Grandmaster and His Enduring Legacy

Born on 11 December 1969 in Chennai, Anand demonstrated exceptional talent for chess from a young age, quickly rising from local and national tournaments to international ones.

Anand's chess career took off early. He was awarded the title of International Master at the age of 15, and by the time he was 18, he was already a grandmaster, making him the first person in Indian history to receive this prestigious title. His style of play quickly earned him the nickname “Lightning Kid” in chess circles.

His achievement sparked a huge interest in chess in India and inspired many people to take up chess professionally. As a result, Anand's achievements and influence have gone far beyond national borders. In 2000, Anand's perseverance earned him the FIDE World Championship title, and in 2007 he became the absolute world champion, holding this title until 2013, successfully defending it on several occasions.

Throughout his career, Anand has consistently demonstrated a high level of skill, winning numerous titles and awards, including six Chess Oscars. His legendary matches with Garry Kasparov, Vladimir Kramnik and Magnus Carlsen are still very much in demand today.

In addition to his chess achievements, Anand is known for his humility, love of the sport, and significant contributions to the popularization of chess. He actively supports talented youth through programs and chess academies across India.

Anand has been honored with India's highest state awards: Padma Shri in 1988, Padma Bhushan in 2000 and Padma Vibhushan in 2007 for his enormous contribution to the sport and national prestige.

Today, Anand remains an influential figure in the world of chess, actively coaching, commentating and promoting the game, contributing to the development and popularization of chess on a global level.