Vishwanathan Anand

Viswanathan Anand, a Five-time global chess champion and grandmaster of chess from India. In 1988, he was also the 1st grandmaster from India.

Also in 2006, he remained one of the very few players to exceed the 2800 Elo level. He was chosen as the FIDE’s deputy chairman in 2022.

Who is Vishwanathan Anand? Childhood, Parents, Education, and Nationality

On December 11, 1961, Vishy Anand was born to socialite and housewife Sushila Vishwanathan and former general administrator of the southern railways Krishnamurthy Vishwanathan.

Shivakumar and Anuradha Vishwanathan are Anand’s older brothers and sisters. His mother, Sushila, was an avid chess player who taught him the game when he was young.

When his father worked as an advisor for all Philippine National Railways, his family resided in Manila, Philippines, from 1978 to 1980, where he acquired the fundamentals of chess.

Anand attended Don Bosco Matriculation Higher Secondary School and Loyola College in Chennai for his undergraduate studies in commerce. Likewise, Anand Vishwanathan holds Indian nationality.

How did Vishwanathan Anand start his Career?

Early Career

Anand won his first contest, the national sub-junior championship while he was 14 years old. Anand clinched the Asian Junior Champion title and was awarded the International Master title in 1984.

When he was 15 years old, he made his Olympic debut for India and received his 2nd International Master’s degree (IM). Anand received the IM title at the youngest age among Indians.

At the age of 16, he won the national chess championship, which he later repeated. At age 18, he achieved grandmaster status. Just at age of 18, India presented him with a Padma Shree as a result of his accomplishments.

When Anand won a spot in his very first Candidates Tournament in 1993, he began taking part in the World Chess Championship. He narrowly fell short against Anatoly Karpov.

Anand performed outstandingly in both the FIDE as well as PCA world championship qualifying rounds in 1994–1995. He lost to Garry Kasparov in the FIDE quarterfinal match despite providing a fierce challenge for the champion.

The same controversy arose when Karpov received a straight admission into the finals of the 1998 FIDE Cycle. A well-rested Karpov was in the finals when Anand, the winner of the Candidates Tournament, advanced to that point but ultimately lost.

Throughout his still-active career, Anand Vishwanathan ended up winning numerous events. He has won the championships in both Rapid and Advanced Chess as well as the Corus and Melody Amber Chess Tournaments in Blindfold.

The contests for Blindfold but also Rapid Chess were both won by him, making him the lone player to accomplish this feat.

World Championships

In 1995, Anand took part in the World Chess Championship, which marked the beginning of his actual involvement in the Chess Champions league and his ascent to the top spot.

A very enjoyable interview! With someone @neerubhatia3 who has followed my chess and Indian chess for many years ! https://t.co/YU9D12kQEk

— Viswanathan Anand (@vishy64theking) July 25, 2022

He beat Oleg Romanishin, Michael Adams, and Gata Kamsky before taking on the reigning world champion Garry Kasparov. Garry prevailed in the competition following a grueling 14-match battle.

World champions such as Garry and Vladimir Kramnik opted not to compete in the World Chess Championship in 1998 because of the new format. Anand competed in the event and came very close to winning, but he fell short.

In 2000, in the homelands of India and Iran, Vishwanathan Anand, at last, won the world championship. His home field advantage is helpful, but it also appears that his new planning and approach have been successful.

He didn’t even lose a match over the whole tournament, which he won. Grandmaster Veselin Topalov clinched his 2005 FIDE Chess Championship, with Vishwanathan Anand placing second.

Anand has qualified again for the 2007 tournament as a consequence of the 2005 performance. When he entered the contest, he was the best chess player in the nation as well as a fan favorite.

As a result of his victory in the FIDE World Championship 2007, he earned his second World Championship. The 2008 Championship match versus Kramnik saw him successfully defend his title.

When his opponent, Topalov, finally withdrew from the match after already being surrounded by it, Anand was able to successfully defend his championship in 2010 overcoming travel and flying issues.

Chess Career after 2010

Somewhere at the 2012 World Chess Championship, Vishwanathan Anand successfully defended his title against Boris Gelfand for the third time, demonstrating his dominance in the game.

The match took place in Russia, and Vladimir Putin, the country’s president, was so struck by their compatibility that he extended an invitation to them both to stay at his home.

Thanks, everyone. Congratulations to President @advorkovich for his vision. We hope to make a difference and thank everyone for their trust in our team. https://t.co/yyNWfBB6ct

— Viswanathan Anand (@vishy64theking) August 7, 2022

In 2013, Magnus Carlsen, a young emerging talent who had won the Candidates Tournament, defeated Vishwanathan Anand in the World Championship.

Magnus Carlsen continued to hold the World Championship in 2014, despite Anand’s best efforts to take it from him. Anand has also taken part in tournaments for rapid chess.

He took part in the famous 2003 FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship, which he won with great ease and even beat Kramnik, who had been a regular rival. He also won the Melody Amber Chess 5 times, Chess Classic nine times, Corsica six times, and the quick section seven times.

Anand Vishwanathan won the 2017 FIDE World Rapid Chess event, defeating Vladimir Fedoseev by a score of 2-0 in the decisive final match. A well-known name in chess is Vishwanathan Anand. He triumphed in a lot of contests and titles.

Always a pleasure! https://t.co/Ms0jIGwyq9

— Viswanathan Anand (@vishy64theking) August 22, 2022

The 2010 Sofia Chess Championship, the 73rd Tata Steel Chess Tournament, the 20th Amber Tournament, the 2011 Bilbao Masters – Grand Slam, the Moscow World Championship, the London Chess Classic, the 2013 GRENKE Chess Classic Baden-Baden, etc. are only a few examples.

Anand Vishwanathan attained the top spot in the FIDE world rankings for the first time in April 2007. Up until July of 2008, he was the incumbent. In 2010, Anand regained the top spot, but Carlsen reclaimed it in 2011.

Additionally, You might be interested in Curtis McElhinney.

How old is Anand Vishwanathan? Height, Weight, and Body Measurement

It would be possible for him to restart playing chess professionally thanks to his physical fitness. Anand is currently 52 years old.

To keep himself in shape, he follows a stringent diet and exercise regimen. Anand Vishwanathan is 1.77 m (5 feet 9 inches) tall and weighs about 75 kg (195 lbs). The specifics of Anand Vishwanathan’s physique measurements are yet unknown.

Is Vishwanathan Anand Single? Spouse, and Kids

In 1996, Vishwanathan Anand wed Aruna Anand. 2011 saw the birth of their son, Akhil Anand, with who they share. When he has time, he likes to read, swim, and listen to music.

His interests continue to be straightforward and unpretentious, just like the man. He avoids expressing political views as well as focuses largely on his game.

How much does Anand Vishwanathan earn? Net Worth, and Salary

Anand is one of India’s most renowned players internationally and has dominated chess for even more than 20 years. “The Tiger of Madras” is another name for him.

NIIT AND Instaforex are sponsors of Vishwanathan Anand. His current net worth is between $5 and even $7 million.

Vishwanathan Anand – Social Media

Anand Vishwanathan is pretty active on social media platforms like Twitter.

Somedays this is how I get by …. https://t.co/YOMthtdPtB

— Viswanathan Anand (@vishy64theking) August 19, 2022

Likewise, Vishwanathan 640.8K has followers on Twitter.

Quick Facts:

• Full Name: Vishwanathan Anand
• Birthdate: 11 December 1969
• Birthplace: Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
• Nick Name: Vishy Anand and Lightning Kid
• Nationality: Indian
• Education: Don Bosco Matriculation and Loyola College
• Father’s Name: Krishnamurthi Vishwanathan
• Mother’s Name: Sushila Vishwanathan
• Siblings: Two (Shivakumar Vishwanathan and Anuradha Vishwanathan)
• Age: 52 Years Old
• Height: 5 feet 9 inches (1.77m)
• Weight: 75 kg (195 lbs)
• Marital Status: Married
• Spouse: Aruna Anand
• Kids: One son named Akhil Anand
• Profession: Chess Grandmaster
• Net Worth: $5 -$7 million
• Social Media Handles: Twitter

Some of the FAQs:

What position does Viswanathan Anand currently hold?

Ex-world number one. Asian Champion 1989; World Junior Titleholder 1987; Indian Champions 1986, 1987, as well as 1988; Arab-Asian Champions 1986. 1993 (FIDE), 1990, and 1990 interzonals (PCA).

What makes Viswanathan Anand so well-known?

Anand ended up winning the FIDE World Junior World title in 1987, which is accessible to people below the age of 20 as of the 1st of January of the championships year, at the age of 17, is the 1st Asian to do so. In the decades that followed, Anand won the worldwide grandmaster headline.

How old is Viswanathan Anand? 

Viswanathan Anand is presently 52 years old.

How tall is Viswanathan Anand?

Viswanathan Anand stands at the height of 5 feet 9 inches (1.77m).