The Candidates Tournament, a prestigious chess event that determines the challenger for the World Championship, has reached its halfway point with an Indian teenager, Gukesh D, sharing the lead. This remarkable achievement is a testament to the transformative impact of Viswanathan Anand, India’s first chess superstar.
Thirty-three years ago, Anand’s victory in the Candidates match against Soviet player Alexsey Dreev shattered the notion that an Indian could break into the elite chess world. His success inspired a generation of Indian players, including Dibyendu Barua, who became India’s second Grandmaster.
In 1994-95, India hosted the Candidates quarterfinals and semifinals in Sanghinagar, Hyderabad. Anand faced Soviet-born American GM Kamsky in the quarterfinals and held a comfortable lead. However, Kamsky staged a remarkable comeback, winning the next two games and the two rapid playoff games to defeat Anand.
Despite this setback, Anand’s journey continued. He avenged his defeat against Kamsky in the PCA Candidates tournament final and qualified for his first World Championship against Garry Kasparov in 1995. His first World Championship title arrived in 2000, and he went on to become world champion four more times.
Anand’s success has inspired a new generation of Indian chess players, including Gukesh D, Vidit Gujrathi, and Praggnanandhaa R. These young players are now making their mark on the world stage, sharing the lead in the Candidates Tournament and dreaming of following in Anand’s footsteps.
