“Viswanathan Anand transitions from legendary chess champion to mentor, shaping India’s future grandmasters through the WestBridge Anand Chess Academy (WACA) and guiding stars like Gukesh D to global success.”
With Indian chess’s face synonymous with his, Viswanathan Anand takes up an extraordinary new turn after shifting from being a living legend to an inspirational influencer and leader. Still a formidable force in chess at 54, Viswanathan Anand stays true to his various pursuits such as being the Deputy President of FIDE (International Chess Federation), mentor to emergent talents, and still being an occasional competitor at the world level.
WestBridge Anand Chess Academy: A Legacy in the Making
Co-founded by Anand with Sandeep Singhal, managing partner of WestBridge Capital, in 2020, WestBridge Anand Chess Academy (WACA) was what was merely a casual discussion over a possible chess support to develop into an institution dedicated to nurturing India’s next-generation chess prodigies.
Inspiration and Foundation:
Drawing inspiration from chess legends such as Mikhail Botvinnik, who transformed Soviet chess, and the Samford Fellowship, which has been a stalwart for young players in the United States for decades, Viswanathan Anand conceptualized WACA as an incubator of top talent. “Our goal was to help young players become promising talents and then become global competitors,” Viswanathan Anand explained.
Launched as a fully virtual project in the midst of the pandemic, WACA managed to cut the usual rounds of applications and simply zeroed in on promising stars. The initial batch it selected consisted of the future luminaries: Nihal Sarin, R Praggnanandhaa, D Gukesh, Raunak Sadhwani, and R Vaishali, arguably one of the top woman players in India. WACA currently sponsors 17 students, with personalized support and special coaching to enhance their talent.
Viswanathan Anand’s influence is particularly evident in the journey of D Gukesh, a star rising in the orbit of Anand.
Of course, another bright WACA star, D Gukesh’s meteoric rise, especially in FIDE Chess Olympiad 2022, Chennai, was stunning and brought all victories with his name on every single of eight matches, including the second-best world-rated Fabiano Caruana.
This win made Gukesh receive invitations to high-profile tournaments and paved the way for his qualification into the 2024 FIDE World Chess Championship, where he will face reigning champion Ding Liren in Singapore.
Viswanathan Anand has played a crucial role in shaping Gukesh’s journey by bringing in top mentors like Grzegorz Gajewski to fine-tune his strategies. “Gukesh has a real chance to become the youngest world champion. It’s thrilling to see his progression,” Anand said.
Guiding the Next Generation
WACA’s success lies in its tailor-made approach. Grandmasters like Sandipan Chanda, Artur Yusupov, Boris Gelfand, and Gajewski are seasoned players who guide them, supplementing their current training. Viswanathan Anand remains closely associated but believes that he is a mentor rather than a coach.
“Chess training isn’t one-size-fits-all anymore. It’s about aligning goals and aspirations,” Viswanathan Anand explained. His strategic insights and ability to balance intervention with autonomy make him a revered figure among young players. Viswanathan Anand‘s mentorship goes beyond traditional coaching, offering personalized guidance that allows players to chart their own path while benefiting from his unparalleled expertise.
Challenges and Opportunities
Despite its success, WACA faced logistical challenges early on, among which was the consideration for a physical academy. The wide geographical spread of players and coaches led Anand and Singhal to retain the online model of the academy. This allows Anand to monitor progress and give insights from his own experience, further enriching the players’ growth.
Singhal, whose company has invested ₹20-25 crore into the academy, praised Anand’s mentoring style: “His guidance is unparalleled. He knows exactly when to step in and when to let the players figure things out.”
Anand’s Personal Connection to Chess
Now that he mentors, Anand has not completely stayed away from active play, however and remains one of the world’s top 10 players. “I play less often now, which comes with its own challenges,” he admitted.
Anand reflected on this transition from full-time competition, saying that he often thought about the legendary tennis player Pete Sampras on retirement: “The competitive drive fades faster than expected. It takes intense focus to recapture the mindset of a player.
Anand’s journey with WACA is as much about shaping the future of Indian chess as it is about redefining his legacy. His approachable mentoring style has fostered camaraderie among young players who once found him intimidating.
“I enjoy spending time with them, even though I’m often closer to their parents’ age,” Anand quipped. More than imparting wisdom, Anand views his role as guiding players toward self-discovery.
As India becomes a chess superpower, the contributions that Viswanathan Anand has made as a player, mentor, and leader will undoubtedly leave an indelible mark on the sport, inspiring generations.
