The Rise of a Chess Prodigy
Who is the man who put Indian chess on the world map? Vishwanathan Anand was a chess grandmaster with his skill he revolutionized the sport in India. If you ever watch his game he knows why he achieved the Grandmaster title in the year of 1988 along with he became the five-time world chess champion. Through his victory, he brought glory to India and inspired the young players to pursue their careers in chess. His impact on Indian Chess was unforgettable as Vishwanathan Anand transformed the perception of Indian sports and changed the perception of Indian games to new heights.
With his extraordinary success, Anand became the symbol of India’s growing sports energy. Vishwanathan Anand was known as the “Tiger of Madras”. For his extraordinary skill in this game, Vishwanathan Anand has made his name famous in the world of chess over the last two decades. Therefore, he became the chess ambassador for India and he inspired the youth towards the ultimate war of brains which this game demanded. Do you know Anand could take complex chess moves with amazing speed which helped him to win over their competitors?
Looking back at this photo from the 1989 Wijk aan Zee tournament brings me a lot of joy. I was so young then, and everything felt thrilling and full of possibilities. It was a time when the future held so many opportunities and challenges ahead. It’s a cherished memory that… pic.twitter.com/vcfDkEydgh
— Viswanathan Anand (@vishy64theking) October 26, 2024The exceptional talent of Vishwanathan Anand
For the last three decades, Anand consistently showcased his extraordinary performance which makes him the greatest chess player of all time. It will blow your mind after knowing that Anand that he win the world chess title three times against various opponents. He with his skill was able to consecutively win the three world champion title. However, in the year 2000, he won the knockout format. It will blow your mind that at the age of six, he won his first national title in the sub-junior tournament with a record percentage of 9/9 points in the year between 1983 and 1984.
After this, he never looked back since then. After the journey of his success began he was awarded the bronze medal in the World sub-junior championship in the year of 1984. Along with this, he became the Asian Junior Champion between the year of 1983-84 under 19. Do you know Vishwanathan Anand only at the age of 15 became the International Master and became the youngest Asian to achieve this position?
On the other hand at the age of 16, he became the youngest national champion in 1986. However, in the year 1987, the World Junior Championship was held at Baggio City in the Philippines where he won the tournament and became the first Asian to win the World Junior Championship.
Early life of Vishwanathan Anand
Do you know where the national pride was born? He was born on 11 December 1969 in Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, India. Anand got the early knowledge of chess from her mother at the age of six. Therefore he got detailed knowledge of this game from Manila when he lived with his parents there from 1978 to 1980s. During this time he works as a consultant for the Philippine National Railways.
First Indian Grandmaster
Vishwanathan Anand became the first grandmaster from India in the year of 1988 by winning the Shakti Finance International Chess Tournament. Through his remarkable success he influenced a lot of the young generation for which till now India won 82 grandmasters (GMs), 124 International Masters (IMs) along 23 Women Grandmasters (WGMs) among which lot of them hold the superior IM title. Therefore, 42 women became International Masters (WIMs) by May 2023 according to FIDE, International Chess Federation.
What was the notable success of Anand in this match? His win against the Russian Grandmaster Efim Geller. His fast blistering chess moves attract the attention of the many audience. Through winning the final norm he won the Shakti Finance International Chess Tournament.
Vishwanathan Anand game
It blows your mind after knowing the fact that Vishwanathan Anand played around a total of 4179 games till now. For his extraordinary performance, he won around 36 per cent of the match among which 50 per cent were drawn and only lost around 14 per cent. Along with do you know in this career he won 27 per cent of games with blacks? But he shows his dominance when he plays with the white people. It shows that in the 2142 opening games, he won 44 per cent games and 44 per cent of the games were drawn.
Through his game, he was able to secure the position of the prestigious Elo 2800 in April 2006. In that time he was the fourth player to secure that position and the only and first Indian on that list. Through his game, he was able to secure the top position for 21 months. It makes him the sixth-longest player in the history to secure this position. Therefore, in the present day, he gets the eighth position with 2817 points. However, in the present day, Magnus Carlsen maintains the position in the list with 2882 points.
Major awards which were won by Vishwanathan Anand
In the year of 1985, Vishwanathan Anand won the Arjun Award for his extraordinary performance. This award included a new star in her career. Along with this award Anand further were capable of achieving the Padma Shri the fourth highest civilian award by the government of India. Additionally, in the year 2000, he gets the highest civilian award Padma Bhushan and in the year 2007 he get the Padma Vibhushan the second highest award.
Moreover, during the time 1991-1992, he gets India’s highest sporting honour Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. His extraordinary performance in chess makes him idle for the Indian young generation. Anand along with this won five World Championship Titles. He won this title in the year 2000, 2007, 2008, 2010 and 2012.
Moreover, in 2000 and 2002 he won the Chess World Championship. Moreover, he showed his extraordinary moves in 1988 and through his skills, he achieved the World Rapid Chess Championship in 2003 and 2017. Do you know Anand was the highest-ranked Indian Chess Player for 37 years? D Gukesh suppressed the legend who held India’s no 1 chess player for more than three decades.
Vishwanathan Anand elevated Indian chess to unprecedented heights.
Anand with his chess skills takes the nation to the global chess arena which inspires the young players to pursue their career in chess. Through his success, he was able to foster the culture of chess. He won the five world championship titles which were not his individual success. Those are the overall success or happy moments for the whole of India. His victory was the spotlight for the whole of India which was the inspiration for millions of Indians.
Before the victory of Anand chess was not able to capture the attention of people. After this incident chess was the dream sport for a lot of children and many saw Vishwanathan Anand as their hero. Therefore, his talent and his academy played a significant role in nurturing a lot of young talent in his chess academy. Moreover, his presence at the world level opened doors for a lot of Indians to get exposure to international competition.
FAQ
1. Who is Vishwanathan Anand and why is he significant in Indian chess?
Vishwanathan Anand is a legendary Indian chess grandmaster who revolutionized the sport in India. He became the first Indian to win the World Chess Championship title and inspired countless young Indians to take up chess. His numerous accolades and records have made him an iconic figure in the world of chess.
2. What were some of Anand’s early achievements?
Anand’s early career was marked by exceptional talent and rapid progress. He became an International Master at the age of 15 and a Grandmaster at 18. He also won the World Junior Chess Championship in 1987, becoming the first Asian to do so.
3. How did Anand’s success impact Indian chess?
Anand’s success sparked a chess revolution in India. His victories ignited interest in the game, leading to the growth of chess clubs and academies across the country. A new generation of talented Indian chess players emerged, inspired by Anand’s achievements.
4. What are some of Anand’s major titles and records?
Anand has won numerous titles and set records throughout his career. He is a five-time World Chess Champion, a World Rapid Chess Champion, and has held the prestigious Elo rating of 2800. He has also been awarded India’s highest sporting honor, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.
5. What is Anand’s legacy in Indian chess?
Anand’s legacy extends beyond his individual achievements. He has inspired countless young Indians to take up chess and has elevated the status of the sport in the country. His impact on Indian chess is immeasurable, and he will be remembered as one of the greatest chess players of all time.
