Yes, he is Vishwanathan Anand 'An One Man Chess Industry' in India. Without his moves, it’s hard to imagine how chess would have advanced in our country. He is a former World Chess Champion, the first chess icon from India, and is often regarded as the best rapid player of his generation.
Let us find out some interesting facts about Viswanathan Anand.
1. Tiger of Madras
Anand is Known as "Tiger of Madras" by his adoring nation and "Vishy" by most chess fans.
2. Chess Oscars
Chess Oscar is an international award rewarded to the best chess player every year. He has won this award 6 times, in 1997, 1998, 2003, and 2004, 2007 & 2008.
3. Anand, the writer
Anand wrote a book called ‘My Best Games of Chess’, to share his journey of chess. In 1998, he got the British Chess Federation ‘Book of the Year’ award for this book.
4. He knows many languages
Apart from Tamil and English, he very well knows French, German and Spanish language.
5. Vishwanathan Anand is now a minor planet in the universe.
Named Vishyanand, the main belt minor planet is between the orbits of planets Mars and Jupiter. The planet was discovered in 1988 by Kenzo Suzuki in Toyota, Japan and was nameless until now. A minor planet is usually named after the person who discovered it but if it remains nameless, then it’s in the hands of the committee members to name it. Hence Micahel Rudenko, a minor planet committee member and an ardent fan of Viswanathan Anand’s knack for chess decided to name the planet ‘Vishyanand’.
6. Gym Workout
Every time he loses a game, he actually works out super hard at the gym so that his mind can sleep at peace, without worrying about the loss.
7. Only sportsperson to be invited
He was the only sportsperson who invited at the dinner party hosted by the Indian PM Manmohan Singh for US President Barack Obama.
8. World Chess Championship
Won the World Chess Championship five times(2000, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012). He is the only player to have won the ‘world Chess Championship’ in various formats such as tournament, match and knockout. He has also won the rapid time controls.
9. Most prestigious awards
Anand is the youngest Indian to be awarded the prestigious 'Padma Shri' in 1988 at the age of 18. First sportsperson to receive 'Padma Vibhushan' India's second highest civilian award in Indian history. The first recipient of the 'Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna' Award in 1991-92, India's highest sporting honour.
10. His Mother
His Mother Susheela taught him the game of chess when he was just six years old.
His close family friend, Deepa Ramakrishnan also played an important part in teaching him the tactics of Chess at the young age.
11. Aruna Anand is his perfect manager and wifey
She handles Vishy's appointments, schedules his interviews, looks after his travel arrangements and is is always there for him.
12. Brother and Sister
He has a brother Sivakumar, 13 years older than him and a sister Anuradha, 11 years elder.
India really wants never stopping champions like him who can bring more laurels to the country and assist children to be like him.
India really wants never stopping champions like him who can bring more laurels to the country and assist children to be like him.
