Viswanathan Anand: Chess Legend Wins Leon Masters 10th time

Leon Masters 2024 Triumph

• Viswanathan Anand defeats Jaime Santos Latasa 3-1 in the final
• Wins Leon Masters for the 10th time
• Tournament featured four players: Anand, Arjun Erigaisi, Veselin Topalov, Santos Latasa
• Format: Four games of 20 minutes each with 10-second increment
• Anand beat Topalov in semifinals, Santos Latasa defeated Erigaisi
• Demonstrated technical prowess and strategic brilliance throughout

Anand's Illustrious Career Highlights

• Born on December 11, 1969, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu
• Became India's first chess Grandmaster in 1988
• Five-time World Chess Champion (2000-2002, 2007-2013)
• Defended world title against Kramnik (2008), Topalov (2010), Gelfand (2012)
• Reached 2800 Elo rating in 2006, fourth player to achieve this
• World's top-ranked player for 21 months
• Previous Leon Masters victories: 1996, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2016

Awards and Recognition

• First recipient of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna (now Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna) in 1991-92
• Awarded Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian honor, in 2007
• First sports person to receive the Padma Vibhushan
• Recognized as India's greatest chess player
• Introduced to chess by his mother at a young age
• National Sub-Junior Chess Champion at 14
• Youngest Indian to earn International Master norms at 15

The 2024 Leon Masters victory of Viswanathan Anand solidifies his reputation as a chess legend. Even at 54, he still shows off his extraordinary abilities. In addition to putting him at the top of the game, his accomplishments have motivated a new generation of Indian chess players. At this point in his career, he has won the Leon Masters ten times; it is a testament to his consistency and flexibility in dealing with various opponents and formats.