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Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand on
29th October,
2008
Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand on Wednesday, the 29th October,
2008 retained the world chess championship crown after drawing with Russian challenger Vladimir Kramnik in the 11th game,
capping a remarkable victory in a tension-filled match here. Playing white, Anand did not give any chance to a resurgent Kramnik who had got
a bit of life after winning the 10th game of the match.
Anand finished the match with an overall score of 6.5-4.5 points, which means a
handy two point lead for the Indian ace in the 12-game match. Kramnik, who had got a whiff of life after winning the 10th game of the match,
could not do an encore with the black pieces and turned out to be a graceful
loser in the end.
Anand won his first world title
in 2000
In 2000, Anand won his first world title at Teheran by beating Alexei Shirov in
the final. Here the title was decided on a knockout format. In 2007, in a select
eight-player league format, Anand triumphed. The following year, Anand defeated
Russia's previously- undefeated Vladimir Kramnik with a game to spare in their
much-anticipated world title clash. This triumph made Anand the only player ever
to win the world title under three different formats.
By stopping Topalov, Anand not only reinforced the belief that he is the most
complete player among his peers but also firmed up his place among the greats of
the game. Unlike many legendary names in chess, mostly from the erstwhile Soviet
Union, Anand is not a product of any system. He overcame the odds facing him as
a teenager, decided to make Spain his home away from home to be able to play
easily in Europe, and never lost sight of his dreams.
Indian chess Grand Master Viswanathan
Anand selected for the prestigious Padma Vibhushan, the country's second highest civilian award.
For the 37 year old Anand, the award caps a brilliant phase in his illustrious career during which the Indian rose to the world number one spot after a series of
impressive performances.
Indian chess Grand Master Viswanathan
Anand regained the world title after seven years with an unbeaten run in the
tournament held in Mexico City. The 37-year-old world number one Anand secured victory following a quick draw against Hungary's Peter Leko in the
final round late on Saturday. Kramnik was second on a tie-break after he and Israel's Boris Gelfand both
finished with eight points each.
The popular Anand won the world junior title in 1989 and became India's first
Grand Master at the age of 16. He first won in 2000, but the value of the title has been enhanced since last
year when two rival bodies unified. Anand will be awarded $390,000, while Kramnik will get $260,000. The other cash prizes range from $180,000 for third place to $65,000 for last place, the championship's organizing committee said.
He is the only player to have won five titles at the prestigious Corus Chess
Championships. He has four chess Oscars given to the best player in the world and was also the first recipient of India's highest sporting honour - the Rajiv Gandhi Khel
Ratna. Anand for winning the World Chess Championship in Mexico City. This was the second world chess crown for Anand that came after a gap of seven years.
President Pratibha Patil congratulated Viswanatahan Anand for winning the World Chess Championship in Mexico City.
Anand Biography
Viswanathan Anand born to Susheela and Viswanathan on December 11, 1969
A commerce graduate, lives with wife Aruna in Spain.
Learnt to play chess at the age of six from his mother.
Won National sub-junior championship in 1983.
Became International Master in 1984.
Became the youngest National champion in 1985 at age 16.
World junior champion in 1987.
India's first Grandmaster in 1987.
World champion in 2000, 2007, 2008 and 2010.
Only player in the 122-year history of World championship to win in three
different formats: knockout, tournament and match.
Fourth player – after Garry Kasparov (Russia), Vladimir Kramnik (Russia) and
Veselin Topalov (Bulgaria) - to cross international rating of 2800.
Achieved a career-high of rating of 2803 in April 2006.
World Cup winner in 2000 and 2002.
World rapid (25-minute) chess champion in 2003.
World blitz (5-minute) champion in 2000.
Ranked World No. 1 from April to December 2007 and again from April to September 2008.
Remained in the top three in the world from January 1997 to September 2008.
Continues to be in the World's top-10 list since July 1991.
Only player to have won the prestigious Corus title at Wijk aan Zee, Holland,
five times – in 1989, 1998, 2003, 2004 and 2006. He has also won the two other
major tournaments at Linares, Spain (1998, 2007 and 2008) and at Dortmund,
Germany (1996, 2000 and 2004).
Undefeated champion of the annual Mainz Chess Classics since 2001.
Only player to win the blindfold and rapid sections of the annual Amber
tournament twice, in 1997, 2005.
Chosen for prestigious Chess Oscar in 1997, 1998, 2003, 2004, and 2007
Recipient of Padma Vibhushan (2007), Padma Bhushan (2000) and Padma Shri (1987).
First recipient of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award (1991-92).
Recipient of Arjuna Award (1985).
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