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The great life of Viswanathan Anand (1969- ). Viswanathan Anand was born in December 11, 1969. Anand is known as a speed player because he often makes very accurate moves quickly. His quick playing has made him the leader in rapid chess. He played games at blitz speed, earning him the nickname "Lightning Kid". At the age of sixteen he became the National Champion and won that title two more times. In 1987, he became the first Indian to win the World Junior Chess Championship. In 1988, at the age of eighteen, he became India's First Grandmaster. Anand has won the Chess Oscar in 1997, 1998, 2003, and 2004. His four Oscars ties him with Kasparov for the most ever, one better than Fischer's three. Anand is greatly looked up to for his many awards and achievements.
Important Matches: 1995: Lost to Garry Kasparov in Classical World Championship match. 2000: Defeated Alexei Shirov to become FIDE World Champion. 2005: Tied for second with in FIDE World Championship Tournament (won by Veselin Topalov). 2007: Won World Championship Tournament to become Classical World Champion. 2008: Defeated Vladimir Kramnik to retain World Championship.

Chess title:
· 1983 National Sub-Junior Chess Champion - age 14
· 1984 International Master - age 15
· 1985 Indian National Champion - age 16
· 1987 World Junior Chess Champion, Grandmaster
· 2000 FIDE World Chess Champion
· 2003 FIDE World Rapid Chess Champion

Notable Accomplishments:
· Five-time winner of the Chess Oscar
· World Junior Champion (1987)
· Won or shared first place at Wijk aan Zee 5 times
· Won or shared first place at Linares 3 times
· Won or shared first place at Dortmund 3 times
· Won or shared first place at Monaco Amber Medley 5 times
· Won FIDE World Rapid Chess Championship (2003)

http://chess.about.com/od/famouschessplayers/p/Anand.htm