Friday Feature: Viswanathan Anand

Viswanathan Anand is an Indian chess grandmaster and former world chess champion. He was born in 1969 in Mayiladuthurai, India, and began playing chess at the age of six. Anand quickly rose through the ranks, becoming India's youngest national chess champion at the age of 15. He went on to win the World Junior Chess Championship in 1987, and in 1988, he became the first Indian player to earn the title of grandmaster.

In 2000, Anand became the world chess champion by defeating the reigning champion, Alexander Khalifman. He held the title for the next three years, until he was defeated by Garry Kasparov in a match in 2003. Anand regained the world championship title in 2007, when he defeated Vladimir Kramnik in a tournament. He successfully defended his title in 2008, 2010, and 2012, before losing it to Magnus Carlsen in 2013.

Throughout his career, Anand has won many major tournaments and awards. He has been named the best player in the world by the chess rating organization FIDE five times, and he has been awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian award, for his achievements in chess.

Some of Anand's most famous games include his victory over Garry Kasparov in the 1995 World Chess Championship and his win against Magnus Carlsen in the 2013 World Chess Championship. Anand is known for his solid and strategic playing style. He is particularly skilled at defending his position and exploiting his opponent's weaknesses. Despite his many achievements and accolades, Anand remains humble and focused on the game of chess.

Viswanathan Anand