Five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand has released Lightning Kid: 64 Winning Lessons from the Boy Who Became Five-Time World Chess Champion. The book, published in January 2026 by Hachette India, chronicles his journey through 64 chapters. A 14-year-old Mumbai chess champion, Aashrita Guttula, shares her positive review of the anecdotal stories.
Viswanathan Anand, the Indian chess legend and five-time world champion, has authored a new book titled Lightning Kid: 64 Winning Lessons from the Boy Who Became Five-Time World Chess Champion. Published in January 2026 by Hachette India, the book offers a simple, bite-sized account of Anand's life in 64 chapters, focusing on personal stories rather than technical chess strategies.
Aashrita Guttula, a 14-year-old resident of Chembur in Mumbai and an MSSA chess champion, received a copy of the book amid her preparations for 8th standard finals. Despite her busy schedule, Guttula read it quickly, stating, “This is the fastest I have read a book on chess.” She noted that unlike typical chess books emphasizing techniques and game choices, this one highlights how chess evolved from a hobby to a professional pursuit for Anand.
The narrative includes engaging anecdotes, such as sibling rivalry that shifted Anand from badminton to chess, games played with his mother, and listening to ABBA and The Pet Shop Boys while staying with a Spanish friend during a tournament. Guttula particularly appreciated the 1994 game against Vladimir Kramnik, which she believes ended in a draw. Played during the time of Anand's mother's passing, it showcased his resilience. As Guttula shared, “It was extremely interesting because he played that game during his mother’s passing. He had to go through a lot, and he played one of his best games at that time despite such emotional burdens.”
With chess gaining popularity in India, the book serves as a reminder of Anand's foundational role in the sport's rise. It is available at leading bookstores and e-stores.
