Viswanathan Anand's Birthday: Lookback At His Trophy Cabinet

Viswanathan Anand turns 56 today, and if you thought he was just another Grandmaster, hold up, because his impact inspired a whole generation of chess prodigies. This legend from Chennai has been the king of the 64 squares for decades, turning India into a chess powerhouse. So, let’s look at his journey through his trophy-packed career.

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Viswanathan Anand’s Inspiring Journey

Viswanathan Anand’s journey is pure cinema, starting as a prodigy who smashed records before most kids could spell “checkmate.” From winning the World Junior Championship at 15 in 1987, he climbed to become India’s first grandmaster in 1988. But the real drama kicked off in the 90s, battling legends like Kasparov, then clinching his first world title in 2000 against Garry himself in a thriller.

He defended it four more times, ruling from 2007 to 2013 like an unbeatable boss. His impact? Massive. Anand put chess on India’s map, inspiring millions, many from his own soil like Vidit Gujrathi, R. Praggnanandhaa, and D. Gukesh. He mentored the next generation, stayed relevant with comebacks, and even challenged Ding Liren recently. No wonder he’s called the Tiger of Madras, fierce, smart, and always one move ahead.

Viswanathan Anand’s Trophy Cabinet

Now, let’s dive into that shiny trophy cabinet of Viswanathan Anand:

World Chess Championship Titles (5): 2000 (vs. Kasparov), 2007 (vs. Kramnik), 2008 (vs. Topalov), 2010 (vs. Topalov), 2012 (vs. Gelfand). Absolute dominance!
FIDE World Rapid Championship: Won in 2003, 2010, and 2012.
Chess Oscars: Bagged 6 times (1997, 1998, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008).
World Junior Champion: 1987, kicking off the legend at age 15.
Rajah of Vizianagaram Trophy: Multiple times for India’s top player.
Major Tournament Wins: Corus (5x), Linares (3x), Dortmund, Mainz, Tal Memorial, Bilbao, you name it, he conquered it.
Olympiad Golds: Team gold with India in 2020 (online) and individual boards galore.
National Honors: Padma Vibhushan (2007), Padma Bhushan (1987), Arjuna Award (1985), and honorary doctorates. Even the Russian Order of Friendship!

And Viswanathan Anand’s not done yet, coaching Gukesh to world champ status proves he’s the ultimate chess whisperer. As he blows 56 candles, more magic awaits.