Viswanathan Anand became India's first chess grandmaster in 1988 after winning the Shakti Finance International tournament in Coimbatore.

Anand has won the World Chess Championship five times between 2000 and 2013, including being undisputed champion from 2007 to 2013.

Known for his incredible speed in rapid chess as a child, Anand earned the nickname "Lightning Kid" in the 1980s.

In March 2011, Anand achieved his peak FIDE rating of 2817, one of the highest ever recorded.

In August 2022, Anand was elected Deputy President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), under President Arkady Dvorkovich.

Anand was awarded India's second highest civilian award, the Padma Vibhushan, making him the first sportsperson to receive it.

He has won the prestigious Chess Oscar six times: 1997, 1998, 2003, 2004, 2007, and 2008.

Anand became India's youngest International Master at age 15 after winning the Asian Junior Championship for the second consecutive year.

He won the World Junior Chess Championship in 1987, becoming the first Indian to do so.

Anand went unbeaten with 8 wins and 12 draws to win the 2000 FIDE World Chess Championship tournament.

He is affectionately called the "Tiger of Madras" reflecting his aggressive style and Chennai roots.

Anand defeated Shirov 3½-½ in the final to claim his first world championship title in 2000.

The 1995 title match against Kasparov was held on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center in New York City.

In Game 9 of the 1995 match against Kasparov, Anand surprised the world with a powerful exchange sacrifice.

In April 2006, Anand became the fourth player ever to cross the 2800 Elo rating mark.

Anand was ranked World No. 1 for 21 months, the sixth longest streak on record.

He won the FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship in 2003 and again in 2017.

Anand clinched the World Blitz Chess Cup in 2000, showcasing his skill in fast-paced formats.

Anand is the only player to have won the world chess championship in tournament, match, and knockout formats.

He learned the nuances of chess while living in Manila during the late 1970s and 1980s.

Anand began learning chess from his mother when he was just six years old.

He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Loyola College in Chennai, India.

His elder brother Shivakumar manages at Crompton Greaves in India.

Anand's sister Anuradha is a professor at the University of Michigan.

Vishy Anand married Aruna in 1996, and they have a son named Anand Akhil born in 2011.

Anand is respected for focusing solely on chess and refraining from political or psychological gamesmanship.

Even his fiercest rivals aided Anand during preparations for the 2010 World Championship match.

He was the inaugural recipient of India's highest sporting honor, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, in 1991-92.

Anand received the Padma Shri award, India's fourth highest civilian honor, in 1988 at age 18.

He evolved from a lightning-fast attacker into a versatile universal player effective in all formats.

Many consider Anand the greatest rapid chess player of his generation.

Anand holds the record for most titles at the Mainz Chess Classic, winning it 11 times.

Anand was the first to win Corus, Linares, and Dortmund super tournaments during his career.

He is the only player to win both the blindfold and rapid sections of the Melody Amber Tournament twice.

Anand won three consecutive Advanced Chess tournaments in Leon, Spain, a format allowing computer assistance.

The main-belt minor planet 4538 Vishyanand was named in Anand's honor in 2015.

Anand donated his 2008 World Championship gold medal to charity, auctioned to support underprivileged children.

Anand's calm demeanor and unassuming nature earned him widespread respect worldwide.

Due to volcanic ash cloud disruptions, Anand reached Sofia after a 40-hour road trip before his title defense against Topalov.

In the 2007 Mexico City tournament, Anand was undefeated with 4 wins and 10 draws to clinch the undisputed title.

Anand started the 1995 Kasparov match with 8 draws in a row, a record for consecutive draws at the start of a championship.

After nearly five years, Anand defeated Carlsen in a blitz game during the 2022 Norway Chess event.

The nickname “Vishy” is a common short form of Viswanathan used by friends and fans alike.

Anand debuted for India in the Chess Olympiad at Thessaloniki in 1984 when he was just 15 years old.

He won the Asian Junior Championship twice, first in 1984 and again in 1985.

In the 1998 championship against Karpov, Anand used the Trompowsky Attack in the decisive final game to force a playoff.

Anand’s play style balances deep strategic understanding with sharp tactical awareness.

Anand released a well-received collection of his best games, updated in 2001.

Anand’s son, born in 2011, carries the traditional patronymic name Anand Akhil.

As a practicing Hindu, Anand credits temple visits and prayers with helping him achieve mental calm and focus.

After winning his fifth World Championship, Anand was gifted ₹2 crore (~US$240,000) by Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister.

Anand successfully defended his world title against Vladimir Kramnik (2008), Veselin Topalov (2010), and Boris Gelfand (2012).

Anand is famous for his quick, precise calculations, especially in rapid and blitz chess formats.

Anand uniquely won both sections twice at this prestigious event.

In 2010, Anand was the only sportsperson invited to a dinner hosted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for US President Barack Obama.

After a long reign, Anand lost his world title to Magnus Carlsen in Chennai in 2013.

Anand's mastery of the endgame has been praised by many chess experts worldwide.

Early in his career, Anand received this international recognition for his achievements.

Even in his 50s, Anand continues competing among the world's elite chess players.

In 2021, Anand joined other top Indian grandmasters to raise over $50,000 for COVID-19 relief.

Anand has a reputation for humility and respect, earning admiration beyond just his chess skills.

Anand's multiple world titles make him the longest-reigning Indian World Chess Champion.

In 2010, Anand joined this foundation supporting Indian elite athletes and young talent.

Anand has faced two of the greatest players in history, holding his own against them.

Anand was the first to win this prestigious tournament five times.

Anand's deep opening preparation has been a hallmark of his success at the highest level.

Recognized for his groundbreaking contributions to Indian sport and chess.

Despite fierce competition, Anand has maintained cordial relations with top rivals like Carlsen and Kramnik.

This win was highly celebrated as Anand had not beaten Carlsen for years before this blitz game.

Anand’s autobiography reveals insights into his chess journey and mindset.

Anand's peak rating places him among the absolute elite in chess history.

Anand is widely credited with inspiring a chess boom and new generation of players in India.

Anand claimed this knockout event in 2000 and 2002.

His ability to switch between aggressive and solid play is admired by peers.

Anand placed 1st-2nd in this historic Moscow tournament in 1992.

Most of Anand’s wins come with him having more time on the clock than his opponents.

Despite being "brought in a coffin" due to Karpov's rest advantage, Anand pushed the match to rapid playoffs.

Anand has spent decades ranked consistently among the world’s top players.

He has supported rising stars like Praggnanandhaa and Nihal Sarin.

Anand attended Don Bosco Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Chennai.

Anand became a grandmaster at 18, after impressive tournament performances as a teenager.

Experts praise Anand for converting small advantages in endgames.

India’s third-highest civilian honor was bestowed on Anand following his world title win.

During the COVID pandemic, Anand helped India win the Online Chess Olympiad alongside other top GMs.

Anand rarely shows nerves even in high-stakes situations.

His global success elevated India’s presence in the international chess community.

Anand’s opponents note his focus on chess over mind games.

Anand qualified for the Candidates tournament early in his career, marking his arrival among elite contenders.

Anand is known for introducing new ideas, such as the novelty 15.Qa3 in the Catalan during the 2010 World Championship.

He won the rapid section nine times at this prestigious invitational event.

Anand excels in classical, rapid, blitz, and even computer-assisted Advanced Chess formats.

Anand won Game 9 in the 1995 match against Kasparov, a notable achievement.

Anand shares his personal and professional journey in this co-authored biography.

Anand competed in the 1994–95 PCA world championship cycle, a rival organization to FIDE at the time.

Anand received this early honor recognizing his contributions to India.

They faced off in two World Championship matches in 2013 and 2014.

Anand's games often feature innovative and subtle positional ideas.

These activities help him relax away from chess.

Anand has multiple victories over top players like Kramnik, Topalov, and Carlsen in rapid and classical formats.

Even decades into his career, Anand remains a top player and a beloved figure in the chess world.