Vishy Anand and his wife Aruna have established a tradition of inviting promising young Indian chess players to their home, providing inspiration and guidance away from public attention. This ritual began notably with D Gukesh in 2019 after he became the second youngest grandmaster at age 12 years and seven months. The practice continues, as seen recently with 10-year-old Sharvaanica AS, the under-10 world champion.
Vishy Anand, a five-time world chess champion who dominated the sport for over three decades, serves as a role model for many emerging Indian players. His influence extends beyond the board through personal interactions at home, organized by him and Aruna Anand. These visits offer young talents motivation, chess analysis, and practical advice.
In 2019, following D Gukesh's achievement as the second youngest grandmaster, Aruna Anand invited the family to their residence. Gukesh's father, Rajinikanth, recalled the excitement: "Amidst all congratulations and appreciation calls on becoming the Grandmaster, icing on the cake was the message from Aruna maam inviting us to their residence." He described Aruna's thoughtful preparations, including Gukesh's favorite foods, and the comfort provided through stories about Anand. Seeing Anand's medals and trophies motivated Gukesh, reminding him that grandmaster status marks the start of a demanding journey.
The visit included a chess session where Anand analyzed Gukesh's games, sharing wisdom. Rajinikanth praised Aruna's support on matters like visas, sponsorships, coaching, tournaments, and contracts: "Who better than her who has handled the career of our legend." He called the couple "God's gift to Indian chess," noting that becoming a grandmaster now incentivizes such invitations.
This tradition persists. A few days ago, 10-year-old Sharvaanica AS, born in 2015 and rated 2041, visited after winning the under-10 world championship. During the session, Anand posed a positional question as Black, where Sharvaanica suggested ...Qb6. Anand demonstrated ...Bd6 as superior, explaining compensation via Qxb7 Bxf4! Qxc6+ Kf8, with ...Rb8, threats to Bc1, and other possibilities. Such lessons, the article notes, leave lasting impressions on young minds.
Through these quiet efforts, the Anands contribute significantly to Indian chess development.
