Image credit: Kunal DaswaniImage credit: Kunal Daswani
Legendary chess Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand, a five-time World Champion and the Deputy President of FIDE, recently engaged with young chess enthusiasts in Nicosia, Cyprus, by holding a simultaneous exhibition game. Nineteen children and teenagers residing in Cyprus participated in the event, which was organized as part of the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix, with Freedom24 serving as its General Partner.
Prior to the chess challenge, the young participants had a unique opportunity to engage in an open discussion with Viswanathan Anand. They eagerly posed questions to the chess icon about his distinguished career, his mental approach to the game, and his sources of motivation. The session was skillfully moderated by Michael Rahal, FIDE Press Officer and an International Master, fostering insightful conversations about how the game of chess cultivates strategic thinking, instills discipline, and nurtures perseverance.
A highlight of the event was a remarkable achievement by 14-year-old Andreas Kyriakides, who managed to secure a draw against Anand. This impressive feat earned him commendation from the Grandmaster himself, as well as from the assembled spectators. Mark Bryan, the head of SIMBA Trainers Academy, expressed his admiration for the children’s intense focus and enthusiasm. He noted that several participants held their own for a significant period, and their pride in their performance was evident. Bryan also highlighted Anand’s emphasis on the importance of consistent daily practice and dedication to continuous improvement, a crucial aspect often overlooked in the pursuit of goals.
The participants in the event were drawn from the Freedom24 Chess Academy, an institution that provides chess education and mentorship to children across Cyprus. “Even the youngest players presented a genuine challenge to the former World Champion,” commented Artem Sadovsky, an International Master and the Head of the Freedom24 Chess Academy. He specifically mentioned seven-year-old Anya Vasileva, who displayed remarkable skill despite navigating a complex pawn structure, noting that Anand appeared visibly impressed by her confident play.
Following the simultaneous exhibition, Anand warmly greeted each of the participants, offering words of encouragement, signing autographs, and posing for photographs. This interaction served as a poignant reminder that even the most accomplished champions begin their journey as novices.
Anand’s illustrious career is marked by several significant records:
He was India’s first Grandmaster, achieving the title in 1988. Since then, India has become a chess powerhouse, now boasting over 100 Grandmasters. Notably, both the Indian men’s and women’s teams won gold at the 2024 Olympics in Budapest, and just three months later, 18-year-old Gukesh Dommaraju made history as India’s 18th world champion.
At the age of 55, Anand holds the distinction of being the oldest Grandmaster in the elite 2700+ rating club, which currently includes 31 chess players worldwide with ratings exceeding this mark. An impressive seven of these top-rated players are Indian nationals.
Anand is the only chess player globally to have won the highest title in competitions featuring three distinct formats: the knockout system, the round-robin tournament, and a head-to-head match.
