Viswanathan Anand is a globally celebrated Indian chess grandmaster, a five-time World Chess Champion, and a true icon of intellectual and competitive mastery. He holds the historic distinction of being India’s first chess Grandmaster (1988) and the first Asian to win the World Chess Championship (2000). His career is defined by his lightning speed, intuition, and exceptional ability to perform under high-stakes pressure.
Anand's ascent began at age six, culminating in his World Junior Chess Championship win in 1987. He achieved the undisputed World Champion title in 2007 and went on to successfully defend it three times (2008, 2010, and 2012). His national honors are immense, including the Padma Vibhushan (India’s second highest civilian award, making him the first sportsperson to receive it) and the inaugural Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award.
Known as the “One man Indian Chess revolution,” Anand is deeply committed to social causes, particularly taking chess to the grassroots level. He is closely associated with the NIIT Mind Champions Academy and is a Board Director of Olympic Gold Quest, a foundation that supports India’s elite sportspersons. His commitment to societal benefit is also seen through his support for Vidyasagar, an NGO for spastic and autistic children. As an inspirational speaker, Viswanathan Anand keenly promotes the game through innovative methods and fascinating insights. His presentations draw on his experiences to offer a masterclass in strategy, decision-making, and focus, helping audiences understand how to read the game far ahead and achieve breakthroughs in competitive environments. His book, My Best Games of Chess, also received the British Chess Federation’s “Book of the Year” Award.
