Viswanathan anand indias first grandmaster

Viswanathan Anand: India's first Grandmaster

Here are some important facts about Viswanathan Anand.

By 04th Aug, 2015 | 12:55 pm

Viswanathan Anand is one of the great Indian personalities who have always made India proud. Let's take a look at the important achievements of Viswanathan Anand.

The Chess King: Viswanathan Anand is regarded as one of the greatest sportspersons of India. He has dominated the game of chess for so many years consistently.

Five Time World Champion: Anand has won the World Chess Championship five times (2000, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012), and was the undisputed World Champion from 2007 to 2013. Anand was the World Blitz Chess champion in 2000.

Recipient of India's highest Sporting Honor: Anand became India's first grandmaster in 1988. He was also the first recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award in 1991–92, India's highest sporting honour.

Tiger of Madras: Anand is sometimes known as the "Tiger of Madras". Anand was the only sportsperson to have been invited for the dinner hosted by the Indian PM Manmohan Singh for US President Barack Obama on 7 November 2010.

Padma Shri at only 18!: In 1988, at the age of eighteen, he became India's first Grandmaster by winning the Shakti Finance International chess tournament held in Coimbatore, India. He was awarded Padma Shri at the age of 18.