GM Vishy Anand's Top 10 Most Memorable Moments - and why He is a Legend!

We knew this was going to happen, it was just a matter of when.

On Wednesday, January 17th, 2024 during the Tata Steel Chess Tournament 2024 we observed history in the making. One of Indian's brightest Grandmasters became the sole #1 player in India - a place that was held by GM Anand since 1986 and only recently lost to GM Gukesh D.

GM Praggnanandhaa Rameshbabu with the black pieces took down current world champion GM Ding Liren in a very smooth fashion. It was the first time GM Praggnanandhaa has ever beaten a world championship in a Classical Game.

This is huge for India and is definitely a passing of the torch but let us reflect on the Grandmaster who started it all and ignited that fire that has caused India to be such a chess superpower.

GM Viswanathan Anand is one of my favourite GM's and is worthy of the GOAT status. Let's talk about his 10 most memorable moments in his career.

1) Becoming India's First Grandmaster in 1988

Received the GM Title at the age of 18

2) Winning the World Junior Chess Championship

Winning this one year before he became a GM showed the world of his exceptional talent and eventual takeover of the international chess scene

3) Becoming the FIDE World Chess Champion (2000)

A knockout tournament win that set the stage for GM Anand becoming one of the top chess players in the world.

4) Winning the 2007 World Chess Championship

Undisputed World Champion. Nothing needs to be really said more. 14 Rounds in Mexico City with the likes of other top candidates such as GM Vladimir Kramnik, GM Levon Aronian, GM Peter Leko, GM Boris Gelfand, GM Alexander Grischuk, GM Alexander Morozevich and GM Peter Svidler. 9/14 score with no losses.

5) Match against GM Vladimir Kramnik (2008)

In Germany, GM Anand made another successful defense of his World Title, defeating former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik.

6) Match against GM Veselin Topalov (2010)

Another successful Title Defense and in doing so makes him a multiple-time World Champion

7) Match against GM Boris Gelfand (2012)

GM Anand's last defense was held here in Moscow, Russia where he defeated GM Boris Gelfand.

8) 2x World Rapid Chess Champion (2003, 2017)

This was very special for GM Anand in 2017 when he won. He was considering retirement after a long and fulfilling chess career. This championship kept him in the game and even to this day he has not fully retired from competitive chess!

9) Winning Candidates in 2014

During this time GM Anand was receiving quite a bit of criticism and doubt that he can challenge World Champion Magnus Carlsen for the World Championship after losing his title in 2013. He still had to go through the Candidates Tournament to even have a chance. This tournament was an important showing resiliency in bouncing back and giving him the chance to challenge for the title he once had.

10) Golden Generation of Indian Chess

This is definitely one of GM Anand's proudest moments - having multiple young Indian superstar GM's over 2700 ELO before the age of 20. There is not a doubt Anand has been an inspiration for these chess superstars.

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Vegereness