Viswanathan Anand, Chess Grandmaster
Chess Grandmaster

Viswanathan Anand

Born 11 December 1969 · Tamil Nadu

First Indian grandmaster and five-time World Chess Champion.

Viswanathan "Vishy" Anand is an Indian chess grandmaster. 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 a six-time Chess Oscar Winner. He became the first grandmaster from India in 1988, and he has the eighth-highest peak FIDE rating of all time. In 2022, he was the elected Deputy President of FIDE.

✨

A detail that
surprised us

“

Anand learned chess from his mother at age six while living in Manila, Philippines, where his father worked for the Philippine National Railways.

The Story

1
⚡ In 1988, Viswanathan Anand became India's first chess grandmaster at age 18, breaking new ground for Indian chess on the global stage.
2
🌍 In 2000, Anand claimed the FIDE World Chess Championship in Tehran by defeating Alexei Shirov, marking his rise among the world's elite players.
3🏆 Anand's reign as undisputed World Chess Champion began in 2007 in Mexico City, where he defeated Vladimir Kramnik, then successfully defended the title three times until 2012.
4In April 2006, Anand crossed the 2800 Elo rating barrier, becoming only the fourth player in history to do so, a milestone shared with legends Kasparov, Kramnik, and Topalov.

🏅 Awards & Honours

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Arjuna Award
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Khel Ratna
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Padma Bhushan
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Padma Shri
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Padma Vibhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

Anand passed the 2800 Elo rating mark in April 2006, becoming only the fourth player in history to reach this elite rating after Kasparov, Kramnik, and Topalov.

🖼️

Through the Years

1 photograph from the archives
Viswanathan Anand's Elo rating chart showing his chess career progression (2015).
Viswanathan Anand's Elo rating chart showing his chess career progression (2015).
2015

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Born in Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu
Viswanathan Anand was born in Mayiladuthurai and later raised in Chennai, where his early chess interest was nurtured.
1969
⚡
Career
Became India's first chess grandmaster
At age 18, Anand earned the grandmaster title, establishing a new benchmark for Indian chess players.
1988
⚡
Career
Won FIDE World Chess Championship
Anand defeated Alexei Shirov in Tehran to win the 2000 FIDE World Chess Championship.
2000
🌟
Other
Crossed 2800 Elo rating threshold
Anand became the fourth player ever to surpass the 2800 Elo rating, joining an elite rating club.
2006
⚡
Career
Became undisputed World Chess Champion
In Mexico City, Anand unified the world chess titles by defeating Vladimir Kramnik.
2007
⚡
Career
Won World Rapid Chess Championship again
Anand reclaimed the World Rapid Chess Championship title, showing longevity in rapid play excellence.
2017
🌟
Other
Elected Deputy President of FIDE
Anand took on a leadership role in international chess governance as Deputy President of the World Chess Federation.
2022
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 06
👤PERSONAL

He was nicknamed the 'Lightning Kid' in the 1980s for his extraordinary rapid playing speed as a child, a rare trait that distinguished him early on.

02 / 06
🏆ACHIEVEMENT

Anand won the FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship twice, in 2003 and again 14 years later in 2017, demonstrating sustained excellence in fast-paced formats.

03 / 06
🔍LESSER KNOWN

His father worked for the Southern Railways in India and later as a consultant for the Philippine National Railways, during which Anand lived in Manila and further developed his chess skills.

“

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— Viswanathan Anand

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Viswanathan Anand on being the first Indian chess grandmaster | The Long Game | CRED mint
More from this archive
Viswanathan Anand on being the first Indian chess grandmaster | The Long Game | CRED mint
01
Viswanathan Anand on being the first Indian chess grandmaster | The Long Game | CRED mint
Viswanathan Anand on Pressure, Performance & the Champion Mindset | The Success Code
02
Viswanathan Anand on Pressure, Performance & the Champion Mindset | The Success Code
Viswanathan Anand - The Legendary Chess Grandmaster | The Ranveer Show 119
03
Viswanathan Anand - The Legendary Chess Grandmaster | The Ranveer Show 119
FTF Vishwanathan Anand 21 2 2001
04
FTF Vishwanathan Anand 21 2 2001
Chess legend Viswanathan Anand on Forbes India Pathbreakers S2| Full interview coming soon
05
Chess legend Viswanathan Anand on Forbes India Pathbreakers S2| Full interview coming soon
Exclusive Interview with Viswanathan Anand: 5-time World Chess Champion, Part 1
06
Exclusive Interview with Viswanathan Anand: 5-time World Chess Champion, Part 1
I INTERVIEWED VISHY ANAND!!
07
I INTERVIEWED VISHY ANAND!!
Teaser:To The Point with Viswanathan Anand, Chess Grandmaster & Former World Chess Champion |6:30 pm
08
Teaser:To The Point with Viswanathan Anand, Chess Grandmaster & Former World Chess Champion |6:30 pm
"Choose Your Favourite" with 5-time World Champion Vishy Anand 🇮🇳♟️👑
09
"Choose Your Favourite" with 5-time World Champion Vishy Anand 🇮🇳♟️👑
When Anand met Kramnik (for the first time)
10
When Anand met Kramnik (for the first time)

🌱 What changed because of them

Viswanathan Anand's success transformed India into a chess powerhouse, inspiring institutional support like the establishment of numerous chess academies and increased government funding. His role in FIDE administration has also helped bring Indian perspectives into international chess governance and development strategies. Anand’s career catalyzed a surge in the game's popularity and professionalism across India.

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