Five-time world champion recalls fond memories of the State, where his chess journey first took flight at age 13
Vishwanathan Anand unveils the trophy named after him at Chess World Cup Goa 2025.
PANAJI
Five-time world champion Vishwanathan Anand unveiled the trophy named after himself at the ongoing Chess World Cup at Rio Resort in Arpora, Goa.
The chess legend felt proud of the trophy being named after him. “It is cool to have a trophy named as the Vishwanathan Anand Cup,” he said.
In fact, Goa has been special for Anand, and he has fond memories of the State. In 1983, he shot into the limelight at the national level after he won the sub-junior and junior titles in Goa at the age of 13. It was the biggest breakthrough in his career that provided him with an opportunity to represent India.
“All of us love Goa, I think we know that. I have been here multiple times, in the last few years as well. I come here regularly for private holidays. Forty-two years ago, I became a national junior champion in Panaji, not very far from here. Sub-junior champion as well,” said Anand.
Anand looked back at his stay in Goa during those days. “In fact, I was speaking to my cousin, who now doesn’t live here, but I stayed at their place. We were talking about the good days,” he said.
The legendary chess player is the only Indian to have won the Chess World Cup. In fact, Anand has won it twice, in 2000 and 2002.
The last time India hosted the Chess World Cup in Hyderabad (2002), Anand was the champion.
“Ramoji Film City was a quiet venue in the sense that we had a lot of space to walk around. The organisation was superb. On the fifth day, I remember having to make a decision, whether I should push my luck against Moroccan Grandmaster Hichem Hamdouchi,” said Anand, recalling his memories from that event.
“I had not managed to get anything with the opening, so was wondering if I should just take a draw or wait. I decided to take a draw. Then Sasi (Krishnan Sasikiran), who could have taken my spot, actually lost, and I managed to sneak in and qualify for the playoffs. The knockout phase was much better. It was a superb tournament,” he said.
Regarding predictions at the Chess World Cup in Goa, Anand heaped praise on German Grandmaster Vincent Keymer. “I am just going to say that Vincent is skyrocketing. So now, does that guarantee something here? I don’t know. It is a special format. Too many names,” he said.
