♚ Vishy Anand – India's Chess Legend
Former World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand has thrilled fans for decades. From lightning calculation to deep preparation, his games continue to educate and inspire.
What Made Anand Great?
- ⚡ Blazing speed and intuitive calculation
- 🎯 Opening preparation that rivaled computers
- 🧠 Strategic depth in complex positions
- 🏆 Five-time World Champion (Classical + Rapid)
- 🇮🇳 Elevated India as a global chess powerhouse
100 Fun Facts and Trivia about Viswanathan "Vishy" Anand
1. First Indian Chess Grandmaster (1988)
Viswanathan Anand became India's first chess grandmaster in 1988 after winning the Shakti Finance International tournament in Coimbatore.
2. Five-Time World Chess Champion
Anand has won the World Chess Championship five times between 2000 and 2013, including being undisputed champion from 2007 to 2013.
3. "Lightning Kid" Nickname
Known for his incredible speed in rapid chess as a child, Anand earned the nickname "Lightning Kid" in the 1980s.
4. Peak FIDE Rating of 2817
In March 2011, Anand achieved his peak FIDE rating of 2817, one of the highest ever recorded.
5. Elected Deputy President of FIDE (2022)
In August 2022, Anand was elected Deputy President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), under President Arkady Dvorkovich.
6. The First Indian Sportsperson to Receive Padma Vibhushan (2007)
Anand was awarded India's second highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan, making him the first sportsperson to receive it.
7. Five-Time Chess Oscar Winner
He has won the prestigious Chess Oscar six times: 1997, 1998, 2003, 2004, 2007, and 2008.
8. Youngest Indian International Master (1985)
Anand became India's youngest International Master at age 15 after winning the Asian Junior Championship for the second consecutive year.
9. World Junior Chess Champion (1987)
He won the World Junior Chess Championship in 1987, becoming the first Indian to do so.
10. Undefeated in 2000 FIDE World Chess Championship Tournament
Anand went unbeaten with 8 wins and 12 draws to win the 2000 FIDE World Chess Championship tournament.
11. Known as "Tiger of Madras"
He is affectionately called the "Tiger of Madras" reflecting his aggressive style and Chennai roots.
12. Defeated Alexei Shirov to Win 2000 World Championship
Anand defeated Shirov 3½-½ in the final to claim his first world championship title in 2000.
13. Played 1995 World Championship Match at World Trade Center
The 1995 title match against Kasparov was held on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center in New York City.
14. Known for Exchange Sacrifice vs Kasparov (1995)
In Game 9 of the 1995 match against Kasparov, Anand surprised the world with a powerful exchange sacrifice.
15. First Indian to Pass 2800 Elo Rating (2006)
In April 2006, Anand became the fourth player ever to cross the 2800 Elo rating mark.
16. Held World No. 1 Ranking for 21 Months
Anand was ranked World No. 1 for 21 months, the sixth longest streak on record.
17. Won FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship Twice
He won the FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship in 2003 and again in 2017.
18. Winner of the 2000 World Blitz Chess Cup
Anand clinched the World Blitz Chess Cup in 2000, showcasing his skill in fast-paced formats.
19. Mastered Multiple Championship Formats
Anand is the only player to have won the world chess championship in tournament, match, and knockout formats.
20. Grew Up Learning Chess in Manila
He learned the nuances of chess while living in Manila during the late 1970s and 1980s.
21. Started Chess at Age Six
Anand began learning chess from his mother when he was just six years old.
22. Educated at Loyola College, Chennai
He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Loyola College in Chennai, India.
23. Anand's Brother is a Manager at Crompton Greaves
His elder brother Shivakumar manages at Crompton Greaves in India.
24. Has a Sister Who is a Professor in the USA
Anand's sister Anuradha is a professor at the University of Michigan.
25. Married to Aruna Anand since 1996
Vishy Anand married Aruna in 1996, and they have a son named Anand Akhil born in 2011.
26. Known for Avoiding Political Ploys
Anand is respected for focusing solely on chess and refraining from political or psychological gamesmanship.
27. Kasparov, Kramnik, and Carlsen Helped Anand’s Preparation
Even his fiercest rivals aided Anand during preparations for the 2010 World Championship match.
28. Awarded India's First Khel Ratna Award
He was the inaugural recipient of India's highest sporting honor, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, in 1991-92.
29. Honored with Padma Shri at Age 18
Anand received the Padma Shri award, India's fourth highest civilian honor, in 1988 at age 18.
30. Known for Universal Playing Style
He evolved from a lightning-fast attacker into a versatile universal player effective in all formats.
31. Renowned as One of the Greatest Rapid Players
Many consider Anand the greatest rapid chess player of his generation.
32. Winner of 11 Mainz Chess Classic Titles
Anand holds the record for most titles at the Mainz Chess Classic, winning it 11 times.
33. First to Win Each of the “Big Three” Super Tournaments
Anand was the first to win Corus, Linares, and Dortmund super tournaments during his career.
34. Famous for Two-Time Win of Blindfold & Rapid at Melody Amber
He is the only player to win both the blindfold and rapid sections of the Melody Amber Tournament twice.
35. Known for Advanced Chess Dominance
Anand won three consecutive Advanced Chess tournaments in Leon, Spain, a format allowing computer assistance.
36. Has a Minor Planet Named After Him
The main-belt minor planet 4538 Vishyanand was named in Anand's honor in 2015.
37. Donated 2008 Gold Medal for Charity
Anand donated his 2008 World Championship gold medal to charity, auctioned to support underprivileged children.
38. Known for Grace Under Pressure
Anand's calm demeanor and unassuming nature earned him widespread respect worldwide.
39. Once Had to Travel 40 Hours by Road for 2010 World Championship
Due to volcanic ash cloud disruptions, Anand reached Sofia after a 40-hour road trip before his title defense against Topalov.
40. Smallest Number of Decisive Games in 2007 World Championship
In the 2007 Mexico City tournament, Anand was undefeated with 4 wins and 10 draws to clinch the undisputed title.
41. Holds Record for Most Consecutive Draws in a World Championship Match
Anand started the 1995 Kasparov match with 8 draws in a row, a record for consecutive draws at the start of a championship.
42. Defeated Magnus Carlsen in 2022 Norway Chess Blitz
After nearly five years, Anand defeated Carlsen in a blitz game during the 2022 Norway Chess event.
43. Known as "Vishy" Since Childhood
The nickname “Vishy” is a common short form of Viswanathan used by friends and fans alike.
44. Played First Olympiad at Age 15
Anand debuted for India in the Chess Olympiad at Thessaloniki in 1984 when he was just 15 years old.
45. First Indian to Win the Asian Junior Chess Championship
He won the Asian Junior Championship twice, first in 1984 and again in 1985.
46. Renowned for the Trompowsky Attack in 1998 Title Match
In the 1998 championship against Karpov, Anand used the Trompowsky Attack in the decisive final game to force a playoff.
47. Known for Combining Positional and Tactical Skills
Anand’s play style balances deep strategic understanding with sharp tactical awareness.
48. Published "My Best Games of Chess" in 1998
Anand released a well-received collection of his best games, updated in 2001.
49. Has a Son Named Anand Akhil
Anand’s son, born in 2011, carries the traditional patronymic name Anand Akhil.
50. Visited Temples for Mental Focus
As a practicing Hindu, Anand credits temple visits and prayers with helping him achieve mental calm and focus.
51. Honored with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister's ₹2 Crore Reward
After winning his fifth World Championship, Anand was gifted ₹2 crore (~US$240,000) by Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister.
52. Defended World Title Three Times
Anand successfully defended his world title against Vladimir Kramnik (2008), Veselin Topalov (2010), and Boris Gelfand (2012).
53. Known for Fast and Accurate Calculation
Anand is famous for his quick, precise calculations, especially in rapid and blitz chess formats.
54. Only Player to Win Blindfold and Rapid Sections of Melody Amber Twice
Anand uniquely won both sections twice at this prestigious event.
55. Invited to Indian PM's Dinner with Barack Obama
In 2010, Anand was the only sportsperson invited to a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for US President Barack Obama.
56. Lost Title to Magnus Carlsen in 2013
After a long reign, Anand lost his world title to Magnus Carlsen in Chennai in 2013.
57. Known for Exceptional Endgame Technique
Anand's mastery of the endgame has been praised by many chess experts worldwide.
58. Awarded Soviet Land Nehru Award (1987)
Early in his career, Anand received this international recognition for his achievements.
59. Competed at Highest Level into 2020s
Even in his 50s, Anand continues competing among the world's elite chess players.
60. Participated in Charity "Checkmate COVID" Simul
In 2021, Anand joined other top Indian grandmasters to raise over $50,000 for COVID-19 relief.
61. Known for Exceptional Sportsmanship
Anand has a reputation for humility and respect, earning admiration beyond just his chess skills.
62. Held Longest Reign as Indian World Champion
Anand's multiple world titles make him the longest-reigning Indian World Chess Champion.
63. Elected To Board of Olympic Gold Quest
In 2010, Anand joined this foundation supporting Indian elite athletes and young talent.
64. Played Against Legends Kasparov and Karpov Multiple Times
Anand has faced two of the greatest players in history, holding his own against them.
65. Won the Corus Chess Tournament Five Times
Anand was the first to win this prestigious tournament five times.
66. Known for Exceptional Opening Preparation
Anand's deep opening preparation has been a hallmark of his success at the highest level.
67. Named “Sportsperson of the Millennium” by Sportstar Magazine (1998)
Recognized for his groundbreaking contributions to Indian sport and chess.
68. Known for Friendly Rivalries
Despite fierce competition, Anand has maintained cordial relations with top rivals like Carlsen and Kramnik.
69. Defeated Magnus Carlsen in Blitz After 5 Years in 2022
This win was highly celebrated as Anand had not beaten Carlsen for years before this blitz game.
70. His Book "Mind Master" Published in 2019
Anand’s autobiography reveals insights into his chess journey and mindset.
71. Has the Eighth-Highest Peak Rating in History
Anand's peak rating places him among the absolute elite in chess history.
72. Helped Popularize Chess in India
Anand is widely credited with inspiring a chess boom and new generation of players in India.
73. Won the FIDE World Cup Twice
Anand claimed this knockout event in 2000 and 2002.
74. Plays a Balanced Style Between Attack and Defense
His ability to switch between aggressive and solid play is admired by peers.
75. First Indian to Win the Alekhine Memorial Tournament
Anand placed 1st-2nd in this historic Moscow tournament in 1992.
76. Known for Excellent Time Management
Most of Anand’s wins come with him having more time on the clock than his opponents.
77. Lost in 1998 FIDE World Championship Final to Karpov
Despite being "brought in a coffin" due to Karpov's rest advantage, Anand pushed the match to rapid playoffs.
78. Longtime Top 10 Presence
Anand has spent decades ranked consistently among the world’s top players.
79. Known for Mentoring Young Indian Talent
He has supported rising stars like Praggnanandhaa and Nihal Sarin.
80. Don Bosco School Alumnus
Anand attended Don Bosco Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Chennai.
81. Achieved First Grandmaster Norm at Age 17
Anand became a grandmaster at 18, after impressive tournament performances as a teenager.
82. Known for Strong Endgame Skills
Experts praise Anand for converting small advantages in endgames.
83. Awarded Padma Bhushan in 2001
India’s third-highest civilian honor was bestowed on Anand following his world title win.
84. Part of the Indian Team Declared Joint Winners in Online Olympiad (2020)
During the COVID pandemic, Anand helped India win the Online Chess Olympiad alongside other top GMs.
85. Renowned for Calm Under Pressure
Anand rarely shows nerves even in high-stakes situations.
86. Known as a "Chess Ambassador" for India
His global success elevated India’s presence in the international chess community.
87. Has Never Been Known for Psychological Warfare
Anand’s opponents note his focus on chess over mind games.
88. Participated in the First Candidates Tournament (1993)
Anand qualified for the Candidates tournament early in his career, marking his arrival among elite contenders.
89. Famous Games Feature Innovative Opening Novelties
Anand is known for introducing new ideas, such as the novelty 15.Qa3 in the Catalan during the 2010 World Championship.
90. Holds the Record for Most Rapid Titles in Melody Amber Tournament
He won the rapid section nine times at this prestigious invitational event.
91. Known for Adapting to Different Playing Formats
Anand excels in classical, rapid, blitz, and even computer-assisted Advanced Chess formats.
92. One of the Few Players to Beat Kasparov in a World Championship Match
Anand won Game 9 in the 1995 match against Kasparov, a notable achievement.
93. Has a Book Titled "My Life in Chess" (2007)
Anand shares his personal and professional journey in this co-authored biography.
94. Participated in the First Professional Chess Association Cycle
Anand competed in the 1994–95 PCA world championship cycle, a rival organization to FIDE at the time.
95. Awarded National Citizens Award
Anand received this early honor recognizing his contributions to India.
96. Has Strong Rivalry with Magnus Carlsen
They faced off in two World Championship matches in 2013 and 2014.
97. Known for Creativity in Complex Positions
Anand's games often feature innovative and subtle positional ideas.
98. His Favorite Hobbies Include Reading and Swimming
These activities help him relax away from chess.
99. Holds a Winning Record Against Some Top Grandmasters
Anand has multiple victories over top players like Kramnik, Topalov, and Carlsen in rapid and classical formats.
100. Continues to Compete and Inspire Chess Players Worldwide
Even decades into his career, Anand remains a top player and a beloved figure in the chess world.
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