The Journey of India’s First Grandmaster: Viswanathan Anand – A Story of Quiet Brilliance

In a quiet neighborhood of Chennai in the early 1970s, a young boy sat across a wooden chessboard with eyes full of curiosity. His mother, Sushila Anand, made a gentle move and smiled. The boy watched, thought for a moment, and surprised her with his response. No one knew then that this little moment would shape the future of Indian chess.

That boy was Viswanathan Anand.

Anand wasn’t loud or aggressive like many prodigies. He was a soft-spoken, shy child. But the moment he touched the chessboard, something magical happened. His intuition was sharp, his speed unbelievable, and soon people in local clubs started calling him “The Lightning Kid.”

As a teenager, Anand began winning national titles with a confidence that felt effortless. India had no Grandmasters at that time and very limited guidance for young talents. But Anand had something special. A dream. A quiet determination. And the discipline to chase it.

In 1987, he won the World Junior Championship, becoming the first Indian to achieve this milestone. Just a year later, he became India’s first-ever Grandmaster. It was a historic moment that opened a new era for Indian chess.

The 1990s took Anand into the global spotlight. He faced world-famous legends and earned their respect with his calm and creative play. In 1995, he challenged Garry Kasparov, the strongest player of that time, for the World Championship. Although he didn’t win, he proved that India had produced a true world-class talent.

In 2000, Anand finally claimed the World Chess Championship title, becoming the first Asian to do so. Over the next decade, he defended his crown multiple times against super-strong opponents like Kramnik, Topalov, and Gelfand. His speed in rapid games became legendary and his calmness under pressure felt almost unreal.

What truly made Anand loved by millions was not just his titles but his humility. Win or lose, he remained the same gentle and grounded person from Chennai.

As the years passed, a new wave of Indian chess stars emerged. Praggnanandhaa, Gukesh, Nihal, Arjun and many others often say that their inspiration was Viswanathan Anand. His success made every young Indian believe that world championships were within reach.

Today, when we celebrate India’s chess revolution, we see Anand’s quiet influence everywhere. He didn’t just become India’s first Grandmaster. He became the reason hundreds more followed.

His journey reminds us that greatness does not always make noise. Sometimes, it simply sits across a board, thinks deeply, and makes the right move.