How a boy from Chennai became India's first and greatest World Chess Champion — the story of Viswanathan Anand.
When Viswanathan Anand was 6 years old in Chennai, his mother taught him chess to keep him occupied. Nobody could have imagined that this boy would one day hold the chess world's most prestigious title — not once, but five times. This is the story of India's greatest chess player.
Viswanathan Anand was born on December 11, 1969 in Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu, and grew up in Chennai (then Madras). He learned chess from his mother Sushila at age 6. By age 14, he was already India's National Sub-Junior Chess Champion. His natural talent and photographic memory for positions made him exceptional from the very beginning.
In 1988, at just 18 years old, Anand became India's first Grandmaster — a title that only the world's top chess players earn. He quickly established himself in the world top 10, known for his lightning-fast calculation speed. Western players called him the "Indian computer" for how quickly he found strong moves.
Anand earned the nickname "Tiger of Madras" for his fierce, attacking style and never-give-up attitude. He was especially dangerous in rapid and blitz chess — his hand speed in making moves became legendary. Opponents often felt psychological pressure just from how quickly Anand would respond to their moves.
In 2013, Anand lost the World Championship title to a young Magnus Carlsen in Chennai — played in India, on Anand's home ground. The match was emotional for all of India. Despite the loss, Anand showed his class: at age 43, he remained one of the top 10 players in the world and continued competing at the highest level for years afterward.
Before Anand, India had no chess culture at the international level. After Anand, India has produced D. Gukesh (2024 World Champion at 18), R. Praggnanandhaa, Arjun Erigaisi, Koneru Humpy, and dozens of grandmasters. Anand's success made chess a respectable career path for millions of Indian children. He is, without question, the father of modern Indian chess.
Now in his 50s, Viswanathan Anand remains active in chess — as a player, ambassador, and mentor. He founded the Westbridge Anand Chess Academy to develop young Indian talent. The greatest compliment India's chess generation can pay him: D. Gukesh, who became World Champion in 2024, cites Anand as his biggest inspiration.
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