Viswanathan Anand: A Chess Legend
Viswanathan Anand is an Indian chess grandmaster and five-time world champion. He became the first player from India to reach the Grandmaster level in 1988, and is one of the few players in the world to reach the Elo rating of 2800. Anand won the 2008 and 2009 world championships, and is a popular figure on the chess circuit. In this article, I'll discuss the top reasons to study Viswanathan Anand, his achievements, and the key to success.
Shifting Focus and Expanding Horizons
Before 2010, Viswanathan Anand focused on the big tournaments, but after 2010, he shifted his focus to smaller tournaments. After 2010, he was ranked number two and fifth, but he turned his career around by expanding his horizons. Anand began playing chess tournaments all over the world, including in Asia, and he won the London Chess Classic twice. He also participated in the World Rapid and Blitz Championships and the Bilbao Masters.
A Popularity Beyond Chess
Apart from chess, Anand was popular outside the game. He was often accompanied by world-famous chess players as they helped him prepare for the 2010 World Chess Championship. The former Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh hosted a dinner for US President Barack Obama, which Anand attended personally. Anand also turned down an honorary doctorate from the University of Hyderabad, reportedly to avoid the controversy surrounding his citizenship.
Record-Breaking Achievements
Anand is the first Indian grandmaster to win the title of Grandmaster in 1980. He is also India's first Asian chess champion and was the first to win the FIDE World Chess Championship. In 2007, he became undisputed World champion. He defended his title against Vladimir Kramnik, Veselin Topalov, and Boris Gelfand. In 2013 and 2014, Anand lost the World Chess Championship to Magnus Carlsen. In 2003, he won the World Rapid Chess Championship.
Planetary Influences and Caution
On 5th November, Jupiter will enter his own sign of Sagittarius. This transit will bring the ruler of his house to a new level of prosperity. Jupiter is the ruling planet of Libra and is in conjunction with Venus, Jupiter will influence him by aspects to the seventh house and debilitated Saturn. The combination of these two planets will create major changes for Viswanathan Anand. However, Viswanathan Anand must be cautious about his health during this transit.
A Sports Icon and a True Leader
Anand has also established himself as a true sports icon. Anand's leadership qualities have been proven in his chess career. He has shown the ability to kill a game when the momentum is in his favor, to accept defeat gracefully, to compliment rivals, and to stand firm to his principles even when the odds are against him. In short, he has made chess history. So, why not get to know him better?
A Chess Legend's Journey
In 2015, Viswanathan Anand played in the GRENKE Chess Classic in Baden-Baden, Germany. The tournament was an eight-player round-robin event, with seven rounds of play. In total, Anand scored 2.5 points, placing him seventh among eight competitors. In the same tournament, his results also count towards the overall standings. The London Chess Classic qualifies him for the 2016 World Chess Championship Candidates Tournament.
Rise to Stardom
Viswanathan Anand's rise to stardom began in his teens, when he won the National Sub-Junior Chess Championship and the National Team Championship. He was only thirteen years old when he won his first challenge. Today, he holds five world championship titles and numerous other top tournaments. His physical appearance has not changed, and he still looks the same as he did at the age of 13.
A Dominant Force in Chess
After winning the Asian Junior Championship at age 14, Anand went on to become the youngest International Master in the world. He won the World Junior Championship three consecutive years after that and became the first Asian to win it at the age of 15. He continued to dominate the chess world, becoming the youngest Indian Grandmaster in 1992. Anand's blitz speed and unassuming manner made him an instant favorite for fans and opponents alike.
Early Successes and International Recognition
Anand's success began at a young age, winning the sub-junior championship at the age of fourteen. He then went on to win the Asian Junior Championship in Coimbatore in 1984. His first IM norm was earned at the Asian Junior Championship, and he made his debut for the Indian national team at the 26th Chess Olympiad in Thessaloniki. He won seven and a half points in 11 games.
