Elsewhere on the Web : India's World Chess Champion
Sunday November 4, 2007
The popular conception of world class chess players often conjures up a combative and surly bunch. Two recent images of former World Chess Champions are Garry Kasparov battling police on Moscow streets or Bobby Fischer railing against authority from the confines of a Japanese jail.
What to make of Viswanathan Anand, who in September won the World Championship for the second time at Mexico City? Indian born Anand now lives in Spain, but ignites the sort of passion in his native country that is rarely seen elsewhere for top chess players. After winning the title, the amiable Indian was featured regularly in the pages of India's most prestigious newspapers.
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In addition to a Front Page Story just after he clinched the title, Anand's exploit received ample column space in the Sport Section.
Anand is now undisputed World champion :
'It took Viswanathan Anand just over half an hour to complete the formalities of putting the finishing touches to his winning campaign in World chess championship in Mexico City on Saturday.'
‘It’s a great victory’ :
'"It is a great victory, greater than when he won it earlier," said Manuel Aaron, the first Indian International Master on Viswanathan Anand’s World Championship success in Mexico.'
A humble champ :
'"I have practised for ten hours a day for twenty years -- and now they call me a genius!" These words of a famous Scottish violinist fit Viswanathan Anand well.'
Salute to a great champion :
'It was a long wait for Viswanathan Anand and his millions of fans but one that was eminently worth it.'
[1/2 October 2007; The Hindu]
A few weeks after winning the undisputed title, Anand travelled to India for a triumphant homecoming. More from The Hindu:
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India’s most consistent champion :
'Viswanathan Anand doesn’t need a parade at home, and garlands, and speeches, to feel celebrated (though don’t let it stop you). Sometimes the affection his land feels for him can be felt miles from its shores in the single act of a stranger.'
[6 October]
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New Delhi:
Anand arrives to boisterous welcome :
'World champion Viswanathan Anand has seen enough mess in the chess world. But it is to the credit to this smiling champion that he makes his point without getting too animated about it.'
Musings of a humble champion :
'The simplicity of Viswanathan Anand is far from simple to understand.'
[16/17 October]
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Chennai (formerly known as Madras):
Hero’s welcome overwhelms Anand :
'Viswanathan Anand is seldom at a loss for words, but the World chess champion was stunned at the reception he received in his home city.'
[18 October]
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Anand presented cheque :
'Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi handed over a cheque for Rs. 25 lakh to World chess champion Viswanathan Anand at the Secretariat here on Wednesday.'
[A Lakh Rupee (Rs. 1 lakh) is 100.000 rupees, somewhat more than 2500 US$ at current exchange rates.]
Rope in rural talents, says Anand :
'Chess should not be confined as an elitist game and space should be provided to rope in rural students whose talents go unnoticed, said Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand'
[25/27 October]
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Appreciations:
Nostalgic notes :
'Andhra’s first international Master Lanka Ravi talks about Vishwanathan Anand.'
Classic moves :
'Viswanathan Anand’s World Championship win at Mexico City will go down as one of his greatest achievements.'
It’s AICF’s turn to honour Anand :
'World chess champion Viswanathan Anand was felicitated by the All India Chess Federation [AICF] at a function here on Monday in the presence of Asian Chess Federation'
What is Anand like as a private person?
Title Two Sweet :
'Soon after their engagement, Viswanathan Anand went over to Aruna’s house one day, took out a chess board and proceeded to teach his soon-to-be wife the nuances of the 64 squares.'
At Home with the Master :
'Customs colony, Second Cross Street, a quiet by-lane in uptown Besant Nagar, Chennai, is no Collado Mediano, the picturesque Spanish town near Madrid where World Chess Champion, Vishwanathan Anand, and wife, Aruna, spend quiet days.'
[Indian Express Newspapers (Mumbai)]
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