Viswanathan "Vishy" Anand (born 1969) is a chess grandmaster from India. Known for his lightning speed on the board, he earned the nickname "Lightning Kid" during his early career in the 1980s. Anand is the youngest of three children, with a brother who is a manager and a sister who is a professor. He began learning chess from his mother at the age of six and honed his skills in Manila, where he lived with his family for several years.
Anand's rise in the chess world was remarkable. He became the national chess champion of India at just 16 and won the title two more times. He was the first Indian to win the World Junior Chess Championship, achieving this feat in 1987. Just a year later, at age 18, he became India's first grandmaster. Anand is a five-time World Chess Champion and has held both the FIDE and undisputed titles. He's also a two-time World Rapid Chess Champion and a two-time Chess World Cup Champion. He was even the fourth player in history to reach a 2800 Elo rating.
But Anand's talents aren't confined to the chessboard. He's known for his unassuming personality and avoids psychological gamesmanship, focusing solely on the game. This has made him a respected figure in the chess world, even among his rivals. When he's not playing chess, Anand enjoys reading, swimming, and listening to music. He also serves on the board of directors for Olympic Gold Quest, a foundation that supports Indian athletes.
Anand is a devout Hindu and finds peace in visiting temples. He even credits his daily prayers for helping him achieve a focused state of mind during matches. He married his wife, Aruna, in 1996, and they have a son named Anand Akhil.
Anand has won numerous awards. He was the first recipient of the Khel Ratna Award (1991–92) and the first sportsperson to receive the Padma Vibhushan (2007), India's second-highest civilian award.
Anand continues to compete at the highest level of chess and remains an inspiration for aspiring players worldwide. Kasparov applauded the new generation of Indian chess prodigies like Gukesh, Arjun and Praggnanandhaa mentored by Anand and declared that "the era of 'Vishy's children' is truly upon us".