Viswanathan Anand (born 11 December 1969) is an Indian chess grandmaster and five-time world champion. India’s first grandmaster, he held the world title from 2000 to 2002 and again from 2007 to 2013, and he is widely credited with starting India’s chess revolution. Known for his lightning-fast play, he now serves as Deputy President of FIDE and mentors a new generation of Indian stars, including world champion Gukesh.
Quick Facts
| Full name | Viswanathan Anand |
| Born | 11 December 1969, Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Age | 56 |
| Nickname | “Vishy”; “The Lightning Kid” |
| Title | Grandmaster (1988), India’s first |
| World Champion | 2000 (FIDE), 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012 |
| Current role | Deputy President, FIDE (since 2022) |
| Spouse | Aruna Anand |
| Son | Akhil |
| Honours | Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (first recipient), Padma Vibhushan (2007) |
Early Life
Anand was born in Mayiladuthurai and grew up in Chennai. His mother, Susheela, taught him chess when he was six. As a boy he also spent time in Manila, where his father worked. His rapid style soon earned him the nickname “The Lightning Kid”.
Career
Anand won the World Junior Championship in 1987. In 1988 he became India’s first grandmaster, sparking huge interest in the game across the country. He rose into the world’s top ten in the early 1990s and challenged Garry Kasparov for the PCA world title in 1995.
Anand won the FIDE World Championship in 2000. In 2007 he became undisputed world champion by winning the championship tournament in Mexico City. He then defended the title in matches against Vladimir Kramnik (2008), Veselin Topalov (2010) and Boris Gelfand (2012), making him one of the few players to be champion in tournament, knockout and match formats. He lost the title to Magnus Carlsen in Chennai in 2013 and lost the 2014 rematch. He also won the World Rapid Championship several times, most recently in 2017.
Through the WestBridge Anand Chess Academy, Anand has mentored young Indian talents including Gukesh, R. Praggnanandhaa and Arjun Erigaisi. In 2022 he was elected Deputy President of FIDE, the world chess federation.
Personal Life
Anand married Aruna in 1996, and she has also served as his manager. Their son, Akhil, was born in 2011. His memoir, Mind Master, was published in 2019.
Awards and Honours
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where was Viswanathan Anand born?
Viswanathan Anand was born on 11 December 1969 in Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, India.
What honours has Viswanathan Anand received?
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (first recipient), Padma Vibhushan (2007).
