My World Champ win

 

 

The holy grail of Indian chess till 1987 was when and who would become India´s first GM. I chased the GM title for two full years. Every time I would come just close enough but would miss it by the narrowest margin. End of 1986, I took a small break from chess and decided to do something unusual. Prepare for my exams. I was so happy to study for my 12th grade exams. My fellow students found it difficult to grasp that preparing for exams could be pleasurable. Right after that, I won the world junior and subsequently the Grandmaster title. I was able to win the World Junior Championship in 87 in Bagio, a city that holds a very special significance. As a small child, I had visited the famous city where Karpov and Korchnoi had played their fabled match. After 1987, we have seen many more GMs from India. My winning the Grand Master tittle was the start but I think winning the World Championship 2007 was also important. Now becoming a GM in India is not novel anymore. Most of us know that more Indians can make it to the top. (1987)

(Vishwanathan Anand, wrote to TSI from Spain)