Viswanathan Anand

Viswanathan Anand, India's first grandmaster, was a dominant force in world chess for over a quarter-century. He became World Champion in 2007 and defended his title successfully until 2013. Known as the 'Lightning Kid' for his incredible speed of thought, Anand excelled in rapid and blitz formats. His universal style allowed him to adapt to different opponents and eras, from classical matches to tournament championships.

Anand's sportsmanship, longevity at the elite level (remaining a top-10 player into his 50s), and role as a global ambassador for chess earn him a top spot.