The “Land of Maharajahs ‘has its own king, finally! Well, according to history, the game of “Chadarangam” as Chess is known in India, has its origins in our country before gaining popularity across the world. Chess is very popular among all the sections of the society, for its low cost and improving one’s mental abilities as well.
At some point of game’s history, holding the world chess crown was regarded as supremacy of one country. Particularly, at the height of the Cold War, it has become so prestigious since the former Soviet Union had literally held its sway on the world chess with almost all the top champions belonging to the Communist country.
And, even after the end of the Cold War, players from the former Soviet land dominated the World Chess with their sheer numbers and talent. But, one man defied this theory and rose to the challenge to fight against the domination of the players from the former Communist country. Well, “our Indian friends” in the former Soviet nation’ won’t mind this rivalry from a “friendly foe”.
But, if one looks at India’s Viswanathan Anand, he hardly gives such a feeling as he hardly has any rivals off the chess game. But, put him before a 64-square black-and-white chess board, you can literally see a monster-like person trying to unleash all his “destructive powers” to unsettle you. That’s what Anand is all about. With his sheer talent and natural abilities combined with cool and calculated moves yet, with his stunning lightening speed – a true champion in many ways.
The emergence of Anand as the undisupted king of the World chess ending a a long dispute in the world chess, is truly a celebration moment for Indian sport, without a shadow of doubt. The Indian overcame a spirited challenge from
challenger Vladimir Kramnik of Russia by drawing
Game 11 of the 12-game series in Bonn last month. A 6.5-4.5 win in the series against Kramnik gave him the world title for the third time, his first in match-play format of the game.
When Anand won the world Chess championship title at Tehran in Iran in 2000 and Mexico in 2007, he didn’t the credit he deserved. Since at that point of time, Russia’s World No 1 Garry Kasparov was still active, when Anand won his first world chess crown, that was in the classical format of the game. In 2007 when Anand triumphed at Tehran tournament, Kramnik had already become a champion having beaten Kasparov and subsequently other contenders as well in match-play format of the game.
Even when Kramnik finished behind Anand in the 2007 world championship, Kramnik had thrown a challenge at Anand asking him to in the match-play format, since he holds supremacy in this particular format of the game. In this context, the 2008 unification match between Anand and Kramnik assumed so much import in the world chess fraternity. Now, Anand is acknowledged as the real world champion across all the formats. “I have lent Anand the title temporarily,” Kramnik’s audacious comments proved to be his undoing. As he came as a cropper against Anand at Bonn.
Anand hardly reacted to Kramik’s arrogant statement but proved his supremacy over the board but not through words. He planned his assault perfectly, prepared well for the match and won in style. He is the World No 1 player according to world chess rankings for his display at the Bonn tournament. More significantly, Anand has added a new dimension as he is currently the best all-round player at the moment.
Undisputed champion
Anand has this uncanny ability to rise to the occasion. Bigger the challenge, the better he does. The way he beat Kramnik to retain his world championship proves this beyond doubt. Anand is now the best in any format of chess. By winning against Kramnik, Anand has completed the missing link in his career graph. While he is now in the company of Willhelm Steinitz, Emmanuel Lasker, Jose Capablanca, Alexander Alekhine, Bobby Fischer, Anatoly Karpov and Garry Kasparov, who have all won the world title in the traditional format, Anand is now the first chess player to win in three different formats: knockout (2000), tournament (2007) and match (2008).
Moreover, Anand’s dominant show against Kramnik put an end to doubts over his match-play abilities. Chess pundits had not rated his earlier titles as highly because he had not won in the traditional format of the game.
Anand gave Kramnik a taste of his own medicine. Playing in a similar way as Kramnik had done against Kasparov in 2000, Anand repaid the compliments. , Kramnik took Kasparov by surprise by taking him to dry positions and won the match without losing a single game. Similarly, Anand took Kramnik to complicated positions and outwitted him. Kramnik’s preparation played a big part in his victory over Kasparov in 2000. Likewise, Anand’s superior preparation undid the Russian in 2008. Kasparov, one of the most dominant chess champions ever, hailed Anand’s win, saying he outprepared and outplayed Kramnik.
During the tournament against Kramnik, Anand was in superior form all through. He unleashed novelty after novelty and fought hard, dug deep and excelled in complicated positions. His strategy of playing the Queen-Pawn opening proved to be a masterstroke as he was able to push for victory without taking risks. His victory in the third game set the tone for the 12-game match.
Anand won two more games to lead 4.5-1.5 at the halfway point. Kramnik performed better in the second half and won the 10th game. However, Anand held his nerve in the next game to end Kramnik’s eight-year reign as the best match player in the world.
Anand’s seconds — Peter Heine Nielsen, Rustam Kasimdzhanov, Surya Sekhar Ganguly and Radoslaw Wojtaszek — deserve compliments for their behind the scene support and for tirelessly working for Anand’ s succes.
Anand’s magical journey started when he learned chess from his mother, Susheela, at the age of six. His interest was further strengthened when, during his father’s stint in the Philippines, he solved chess puzzles on TV easily. From the time he qualified for the National ‘A’ championship at the age of 13, Anand has not turned back since then. His first major victory came in 1987, when he became the first Indian and Asian to win the world junior championship crown. He followed this up by becoming India’s first Grand Master in 1988.
Anand’s first shot at the world title came in 1995, against Kasparov in New York. He played well but lost to the highly-experienced Russian genius.
After winning many big tournaments like Linares, Wijk Aan Zee, Regio Emilia, Anand fulfilled his life-long dream by winning the world title in 2000, defeating Alexei Shirov 3.5-0.5 in the final at Tehran in Iran in 2000. It took him another seven years to regain his world title, which he did in Mexico last year. That title had more value because he became undisputed champion. Between 1993 and 2006, world chess had two world champions; this situation was simplified when Kramnik beat Veselin Topalov in a reunification match in 2006. Despite being undisputed champion, Anand did not enjoy the privileges that Karpov, Kasparov and Kramnik did. However, Anand enjoys competing and likes the challenge of showing his skills in any format. And he has proved himself time and again at the highest level.
Ever improving
Starting his career as Speed King, as Anand was know as “Lightning Kid’ during his early days, the most amazing aspect of him is his ability to keep improving. In the initial parts of his career, he used to outwit opponents with his fast moves and aggressive game. He once beat leading American GM Nick De Firmian using just eight minutes for the whole game! Once, in a rapid game, Anand beat former world championship semifinalist Valery Salov taking just two minutes and 55 seconds! Salov called Vishy “a chess genius’’.
After 15 years at the top, Anand can attack and defend with equal felicity. After Karpov and Kasparov, he has been the most consistent player in the last decade, winning every big tournament. His hunger for the game remains undiminished despite the fact that he has achieved everything.
Anand has been the torchbearer of Indian chess for a long time and instilled self-belief in Indians that they can become a potent force in chess. His effort is showing with chess being a sport where Indians keep growing.
Thanks to Anand, chess has become one of the most popular sports in India. From one GM in 1988, India has 18 GMs in 2008. From one world junior champion in 1987, India has five world junior champions now. Anand has literally created a chess revolution of sorts in India.
Dad congratulates Anand
“A great job done, my son”, said a proud father of Vishwanathan Anand after being informed about his son’s victory. Vishwanathan said the family had been tense during all through the tournament and victory has brought a great relief to him. The father said “it was a lone battle Anand had fought. Today, he has the entire nation behind him”.
Anand’s wife Aruna, who was in Bonn with Anand, said that the victory “happened so suddenly that he was taken aback”. When asked what is Anand’s target after having won in all the formats of the game, Aruna said: “It’s up to him but henceforth no finger will be pointed at him.”
His wife further added, “We have been working on this since December. It’s a total team effort. The Kramnik camp was staying at the same hotel since December, but we didn’t talk to each other.”
Anand’s achievements so far:
1985: Arjuna Award, Outstanding Indian Sportsman (Chess)
1987: Padma Shri, youngest ever recipient
1991-92: Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, first ever recipient
1997: Chess “Oscar” Best Chess Player of 1997
1998: Chess “Oscar” Best Chess Player of 1998
1998: Sportstar Millenium Award, from India’s premier Sports magazine for being the sportperson of the millenium
2000: Padma Bhushan, for being the first Asian to win the World Championship
2003: Chess “Oscar” Best Chess Player of 2003
2004: Chess “Oscar” Best Chess Player of 2004
2007: World Chess Champion (undisputed)
2007: Was awarded the second highest civilian award of India, the Padma Vibhushan.
Anand at World Championships:
Classical, challenger format
1991: Lost to Karpov in Challenger quarter-finals.
1994: Lost to Kamsky in Challenger final.
1995: Lost to Kasparov in PCA final.
2008: Defeated Kramnik in final
Knock-out format
1997-98: Won a challenger event in Groningen in knock-out format but lost to Karpov in the final at Lausanne.
2000-01: Nock-out title in Delhi and Teheran, beating Alexei Shirov in the final.
2001: Lost to Ivanchuk in knock-out format in Mexico
Tournament format
2005: Runner-up to Topalov in San Luis.
2007: Won in Mexico ahead of Kramnik.
Other Titles
2000: Won World blitz title by beating Karpov, Gelfand and Svidler
2003: Won World rapid title by beating Kramnik in final
Undisputed world champions 1886–1993
No. Name Year Country
1). Wilhelm Steinitz 1886–1894 Austria-Hungary
United States
2). Emanuel Lasker 1894 – 1921 Germany
3). José Raúl Capablanca 1921–1927 Cuba
4). Alexander Alekhine 1927–1935 1937–1946 France Russian émigré
5). Max Euwe 1935–1937 Netherlands
6). Mikhail Botvinnik 1948–1957, 1958–1960
1961–1963 Soviet Union (Russia).
7). Vasily Smyslov 1957–1958 Soviet Union (Russia)
8). Mikhail Tal 1960–1961 Soviet Union (Latvia)
9). Tigran Petrosian 1963–1969 Soviet Union (Armenia)
10). Boris Spassky 1969–1972 Soviet Union (Russia)
11). Robert J. Fischer 1972–1975 United States
12). Anatoly Karpov 1975–1985 Soviet Union (Russia)
13). Garry Kasparov 1985–1993 Soviet Union Russia
FIDE world champions 1993–2006
Name Year Country
12). Anatoly Karpov 1993–1999 Russia
14). Alexander Khalifman 1999–2000 Russia
15). Viswanathan Anand 2000–2002 India
16). Ruslan Ponomariov 2002–2004 Ukraine
17). Rustam Kasimdzhanov 2004–2005 Uzbekistan
18). Veselin Topalov 2005–2006 Bulgaria
Classical world champions 1993–2006
Name Year Country
13). Garry Kasparov 1993–2000 Russia
14). Vladimir Kramnik 2000–2006 Russia
Undisputed world champions 2006–present
Name Year Country
19/14 Vladimir Kramnik 2006–2007 Russia
15/15 Viswanathan Anand 2007–present India