By winning the world chess title for the fifth time, Viswanathan Anand has firmed up his place among the greats of the game. In his own assessment, the victory over Boris Gelfand was the toughest of his world-title battles. Not many outside the chess world know that for over two decades, Gelfand, 43, has been admired for his versatile chess qualities. Only Gary Kasparov and Vladimir Kramnik were ahead of him in Russia. In the event, it was hardly surprising that he stretched the 12-game series to the rapid tie-break games, something Anand had not faced in his two previous title-matches. Anand was prepared for the grind and, as he did in the 2010 match against Veselin Topalov, won the title after wiping out a one-point deficit. Anand admitted to spending a sleepless night after losing the seventh game since he knew well that it would be very difficult to bounce back against a rock-solid player like Gelfand. But the very next day, Anand levelled the score with a stunning 17-move victory. The high level of preparation from both camps was evident all through the 10 drawn games. Gelfand was enormously motivated to cash in on probably his last chance to win the title. He tested Anand with some new opening moves without compromising on his solid style of play. In terms of providing thrills, this series of contests may have fallen short but the high intensity of the battles made up for that.
The triumph in Moscow, where Anand has a matching number of admirers and critics, was also significant for another reason. For years, the Russian chess fraternity, in particular, has belittled Anand's achievements. Even in the days leading to the clash against the Belarus-born Gefland, there was criticism in the regional media which said that Anand lacked hunger and his game had weakened in the recent past. But the genial Indian's triumph in every format — knockout, round-robin, classical and now in a rapid tie-break finish — should silence the cynics. Surely, Anand's consistency has been second to none. He has stayed in the world's top 10 since 1991 and he is one among seven players ever to hold the topmost ranking in 40 years. Considering that every Anand manoeuvre over the board has been clinically analysed by the best chess brains, mostly from the erstwhile Soviet Union and Europe, for 25 years, it is truly commendable how he has managed to stay a step ahead. His longevity as a performing champion is the result of his uncompromising nature when it comes to discipline and training. His conduct remains spotless and his popularity keeps growing with every success; yet, his humility appears ever more pronounced. No wonder, Anand is an icon and an inspiration to a generation of sportspersons of all disciplines.
Keywords: Viswanathan Anand, Boris Gelfand, chess world championship
Congratulation! to a great man, who made us proud.
By his demeanour, Anand rekindles the memories of another true gem of this land, the great M S Subbulakshmi. Wasn't she the first among the music's greats to receive the 'Bharath Ratna'. It would certainly not be premature on Anand as he had proved with a rare kind of poise- that great honours sit lightly on his head. As far as chessing glory is concerned he has a long long way to go, as feats of gigantic proportions await him. Because he is the only Anand.
Kudos to Vishy for amazing feat.I am following him since late eighties and early nineties when he became Grandmaster.I saw his picture in The Hindu and Limca Book of Records.When asked how he relaxes after playing serious match .His response was by playing chess. He had a shot at World Championship against Gary Kasparov but could not convert his chances into win.But winning 5 th World Chess Championshipis is just fantastic.
He deserves a national prestige like Rajya sabha nomination or Bharat
ratna. He is the one who has made us proud many times..
Let's take a bow to the World Champion of admirable great qualities,
skills and sportsmanship! I am pleased The Hindu wrote a nice
editorial for him. Well done sir!!!
It is probably a little difficult to expect other media to support
sports like Chess and sports personalities like Anand especially if
The Hindu fails to play its' part. I would expect The Hindu to honour
him properly (like they did for legendary Sachin) and give Chess a
place it deserves in the sports column (i.e. not in Other Sports).
a very laudable work by The Hindu when other medium are enamored with
criket criket criket only regarding sports in India.
Hats off and many-many congratulations to the pride of nation Mr
Anand ji..and The Hindu for acknowledging this moment for India's
pride..
At first thanks to the editorial team of The Hindu for publishing
editorial on Anand.
The grand master is the hero of Chess not only for India but whole world
like cricket star Sachin.I support him for the greatest civilian award
of india.
Everything required to be said about Anand's spectacular achievements has already
been done by Readers before me. Unlike cricket, tennis, football, hockey or for
that matter most sports, chess does not need any great infrastructure to learn or play. The chess board hardly costs anything. Except good memory, analytical capability, imagination and sharp brains, it does not call for any robust health or physical fitness. No great proficiency in any language is called for. In the 50s, I remember "Times of India" used to bring out daily quiz programs for chess enthusiasts under the title "white to play and mate in two", which used to keep them engrossed for hours to solve the puzzle. Media houses can play a big role to promote the game,which costs nothing.
The grand Master Mr Anand should be called sir Anand for Contributing
to uplifting the name of India the oldest civilized country which was
ever the center of education and philosophy.Mr Anand's contribution in
chess is really a harbinger of many chess brain in future.
He is a real winner , no cynics can say anything about it.
yes, its true.If we encourage such a game like chess from rural areas,we can find more number of impecunious talented people rather than extravagent and we should encourage them and of course they may keep up India name as well at outside like ANAND
It is a great victory for Anand.
All Indians should be proud of Anand for his recent achievement.
Anand's achievements are fantastic by any yardstick. First let me
congratulate from the bottom of my heart for making us feel proud.
Mr. Anand its fantastic feeling to be your compatriot!
Anand has shown the world especially the erstwhile Soviets and Europe
that he is the unparalleled king of the 8*8 squares. He had challenged
and established his supremacy over every chess player. He had out-
shined every single chess player. His achievements have belittled the
successes of Russian greats. Today I read somewhere ," Anand is not
greatest chess player: Kasporov". These criticism are not genuine
reflection of Anand's glory. These voices exhibit only the frustration
among Russian of ceding the chess board glory to an outsider. Anand we
are extremely proud of you.
It is most heart worming when this write up is read.When we hear
about his movemnets up and up in the chess world,we remember more and more about the king being restricted to one movement to save himself from the "king check",the queen moving in all directions,the rooks moving in a straight forward way,the bishops running across,the horses taking 3 steps and the pawns trying not to be pawns in the movements of the oppsosing men, all with the
intention of saving the king.But we forget it is Anand lone handed
has saved the king in the many battles of the game.Long live Anand
and by that long live the king.
Hats off! to our nation's diamond & pride V. Anand.We really proud our national hero who has really set an example in the whole world & clipped up the mouths of cynics.He has rang the wake up bell to let us know our country's potential in other sports which is needed to be praised & supported .
Really, India is proud of you, dear Anand! Chess is the game that
requires high stamina both mental and physical. The editorial is timely
and wonderful. I totally agree with the last statement " Anand is an
icon and an inspiration to a generation of sportspersons of all
disciplines."
Such a wonderful panegyric.
Even after five titles the man and the sport has been clouded by many
other trivial issues. Today these sportsmen struggle to get a
sponsor's name on their tee despite having a commendable track record.
Whereas, sponsors fight to get a brand visibility in BCCI sponsored
sport whose image has been knocked down time and again through
innumerable scandals and match-fixing issue. We had Mamata extolling
the brand KKR out in public. But not a word of praise has come out
from her. May be regional feelings reigns.
Until and unless, government takes corrective measures and treats all
sports with equal importance, Viswanathan Anand and this Sport's
popularity will remain confined to the intellectual class.
Kudos to Vishwanathan Anand, Five-time World Chess Champion! He is
indeed the King! He has brought great honour to India in a truly
international game (unlike cricket) played all over the world. He is our
most accomplished sportsman! An unassuming, humble role model and super-
achiever, may he go on to achieve much more glory!
Anand has been a true inspiration for millions of chess players from around the country. It was his pathbreaking success that set the scene for other chess players to come forward and make their mark.Yet he remains a humble and straightforward man, who conducts himself with a lot of dignity. A true role model.
On another note, India has been in the middle of a chess revolution for a very long time now. So many players from India have achieved tremendous success in this sport. Today India can boast of as many Grandmasters as the former Soviet republics. Newspapers should devote some column space to this sport as well rather than mindless debates on why India is losing almost every other international cricket match. If we can celebrate the garishness of the IPL we can also celebrate the quiet dignity of chess.
A very nice editorial. congrats. You could have added one sentence
"Anand deserves Bharat Ratna"
I would like to propose an amendment to your last para , which should read " His conduct remains spotless and his popularity keeps growing with every success; yet, his humility appears ever more pronounced. No wonder, Anand is an icon and an inspiration to a generation of sportspersons of all disciplines all over the world ".
Hearty congratulations to Anand, for his third successive title. Whenever there is a world chess tournament, our attention turns to chess. But all these years as a society with billions of young, we have not created an infrastructure which provides encouragement to budding chess players. In different parts of then country individuals with passion are making good efforts to promote chess but that is all we come across. Can we expect this to change in years to come?
I would like to put three great players together for their great talent and gentleness.
1. God of cricket, master blaster sachin tendulkar.
2. Legend of Indian hockey, major Dugan chand for his great control on ball and
scoring goals like cricketers score runs in cricket.
3. Deep thinking and patience of vishwanathan Anand on the board.
All three made India proud in respective games by their great achievements.
Congratulation Mr. Anand for making India proud by winning another title.
Kudos to the great Master ! Why not help promote the game in India rural areas too, so that we can find talent to keep up our name ! Easy to play and not costly - table top - no big expense involved; BUT yes, will not get all the "BIG" shower of praise as in Cricket eh! Nor get a seat in Rajya sabha like Sachin after making millions and avoiding taX!
Congrats to you for a wonderful editorial. Most of today's media is enamored with cricket and Bollywood starlets -- they do not have the intellect to acknowledge a true hero like Viswanathan Anand. All the other sports are ignored at the cost of glorifying cricket. Hero like Premchand Degra the Mr Universe winner who could challenge the best-built athlete from any nation, never got his rightful acknowledgement. Women weightlifters from Andhra (who have done the nation proud internationally) are practically unknown.
Congrats!! Anand..that was awesome! Mr.Grand Master
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