Anand returns to Chennai

Five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand returned here from Moscow to a grand welcome.

“I thank all those who came to receive me. I am very happy,” said Anand, 42.

His wife Aruna Anand, who too returned with him, said: “I am feeling so happy. It was a tense match, Anand played the tie-breaker really well. We are looking forward to meeting our son Akhil.”

The world champion was received by his family members, friends, fans and chess association officials at the airport.

Viswanathan Anand

He thanked Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa for her gesture of announcing Rs.2 crore cash award on hiswinning the world title for the fifth time by beating his Israeli challenger Boris Gelfand in the tie-breaker in Moscow Wednesday.

Anand said he would meet the chief minister soon.

Message from the All India Chess Federation

Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamilnadu,
Puratchi Thalaivi Amma

Respected Madam,

On behalf of the entire chess fraternity of India we thank you Madam profusely for announcing Rs.2/- Crores to Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand for winning the World Championship title for the 5th time defeating Grandmaster Boris Gelfand of Israel at Moscow. We are sure that this gesture of yours will go a long way in motivating several young Anands and also many sports persons of different disciplines. We salute you Madam for this wonderful and thoughtful gesture.

It will not be out of place if we mention that the Chief Minister Puratchi Thalaivi Amma and Sports are synonymous. The magnificent stadiums constructed for the SAF games in 1995 by you stands testimony to your total love for sports. Every time you assume the coveted position of the Chief Minister of the State, you have been lending a helping hand to sports related issues.

Recently, you have enhanced the cash awards for International Medal winners by more than 100%: you have increased the allocation for sports in Tamilnadu Budget three fold; you have ordered setting up of infrastructure throughout the State covering all the Districts; You have allocated funds for identifying talents in Sports and to make them World Champions.

Your special love for the game of chess was showcased when you decided to introduce chess in schools program for seven to seventeen year old in all the Schools in Tamilnadu. This program we are sure will identify many Anands.

We members from the All India Chess Federation across the length and breadth of the country take this opportunity to thank you and to wish you many more years of healthy, peaceful and purposeful life.

J.C.D.Prabhakar
President

D.V.Sundar
Vice President – FIDE

Bharat Singh
Hon. Secretary