Fri Dec 13 05:02:34 UTC 2024: ## Chess Legend Anand Celebrates 55th Birthday with Game 13 of World Championship
**SINGAPORE** – Five-time World Chess Champion Viswanathan Anand celebrated his 55th birthday on Wednesday with a simple yet fitting tribute to his lifelong passion: watching the World Chess Championship. The Indian chess legend, who recently made the ceremonial first move for fellow Indian Grandmaster D Gukesh in the current match against Ding Liren, revealed his plans on social media, stating he would be enjoying a celebratory meal alongside Game 13 of the championship.
Anand, whose influence has been instrumental in the rise of Indian chess, thanked fans for their birthday wishes. He also highlighted his connection to the current World Championship, as Gukesh is a student of the WestBridge-Anand Chess Academy.
The legendary Grandmaster’s enduring popularity was underscored by the hundreds of fans who flocked to see him at a recent national age-group competition in Singapore. His illustrious career includes five World Championship titles won across three different formats, a feat unmatched in chess history. He also boasts numerous other accolades, including multiple wins at prestigious tournaments and a recent victory in the 2024 Leon Masters. Anand’s continued involvement in the chess world, both as a player and mentor, solidifies his status as a true icon of the game.
First Piper 