| NAME: | Viswanathan "Vishy" Anand |
| BIRTHDATE: | December 11, 1969 |
| BIRTHPLACE: | Madras, India |
| CREDENTIALS: | Include becoming the World Junior Chess Champion in 1987; FIDE World Champion from 2000-2002; one of the world's top players. |
| MODUS OPERANDI: |
Amazingly quick ability to recognize patterns on the board. Intuitive style that produces stunning combinations. |
| BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH: |
At age six, learned chess from his mom. Lives in Spain, while being a strong promoter of chess in the country where the game and himself were born -- India. Hobbies include bicycling, learning languages, yoga, reading, swimming, long walks, astronomy, and music. |