Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand hosted a festive Pongal breakfast on Sunday, celebrating with newly crowned world champion D. Gukesh, fellow chess stars Praggnanandhaa and Vidit Gujrathi. Pongal, marking the start of the Tamil month of Thai, is celebrated as a symbol of new beginnings in Tamil Nadu.
A light-hearted moment went viral on social media when the chess masters, dressed in traditional attire, and broke into a dance were everyone initially hesitated, but the atmosphere shifted as Anand took the lead, encouraging everyone to join in. The dance left the group and fans online in fits of laughter.
Gukesh and Praggnanandhaa are among the first group of players at the WestBridge Anand Chess Academy (WACA), a program created by Anand to develop emerging chess talent. The academy offers these young stars a chance to learn from some of the best minds in the game, playing a key role in the evolution of Indian chess.
Recent performances by D Gukesh & Vidit Gujarathi
Vidit delivered a solid performance in the 2024 Candidates Tournament, finishing sixth. Later that year, he played a crucial role in India’s gold-winning performance at the 45th Chess Olympiad, scoring an impressive 7.5/10 on the fourth board.
Through consistent performances and major achievements, Vidit Gujrathi continues to solidify his place among the world’s elite chess players.
Meanwhile, Gukesh is all set to receive the Khel Ratna award after winning the World Championship. After his landmark victory, Gukesh will now be preparing for his next challenge a face-off against Norway’s Magnus Carlsen, the reigning world number one and former five-time World Chess Champion.
