Anand wins third Chess Oscar

by ChessBase
5/8/2004 – After 1997 and 1998 Indian Super-GM Vishy Anand has won the Chess Oscar for the third time. A worldwide poll involving leading chess writers, critics and journalists from over 50 countries, and conducted by Russian magazine 64, Put Anand ahead of his nearest rival by over 1500 points. Here's a pictorial report...

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In 1967 the journalists visiting the international tournament in Palma de Mallorca nominated the "cold-blooded killer at the chessboard" Danish GM Bent Larsen as the best Grandmaster of the year. In 1968 the International Association of Chess Press (AIPE) started to select the top ten GMs. Year by year the number of the voters increasing, with arbiters, trainers, organizers, and grandmasters joining to polling process. The "Chess Oscar" was created. Unfortunately the Oscar nominations were interrupted by a sudden death of the initiator, Mr. Jorge Puch. But nine years ago the Russian Chess Magazine "64" took up the award and has been conducting the poll ever since.

The official results for 2003, published on the Chess Oscar web site today, show Anand in the clear lead with 4150 points, ahead of Peter Svidler with 2575 points.

Here are the exact individual results for the top 15 players

The sum of places given and points gained
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
1 Anand, Viswanathan India
4150
232
61
36
12
7
1
2
2 Svidler, Peter Russia
2575
35
96
33
41
32
28
18
16
11
6
3 Kramnik, Vladimir Russia
2518
20
64
81
55
32
23
23
8
6
5
4 Kasparov, Garry Russia
2262
38
53
49
39
37
23
15
16
7
12
5 Leko, Peter Hungary
1867
3
17
57
70
41
38
24
23
15
7
6 Polgar, Judit Hungary
1528
7
21
19
36
38
40
44
34
28
21
7 Morozevich, Alex. Russia
1381
3
16
30
28
39
29
41
33
20
18
8 Bologan, Viorel Moldova
1359
12
16
28
30
32
33
21
19
25
17
9 Short, Nigel England
539
1
3
7
10
8
15
26
22
20
27
10 Bareev, Evgeny Russia
535
4
6
14
24
20
23
39
26
11 Shirov, Alexei Spain
485
1
3
4
15
23
13
28
24
30
12 Topalov, Veselin Bulgaria
392
1
2
3
10
18
22
14
22
18
13 Grischuk, Alexander Russia
311
1
1
3
9
11
8
23
21
18
14 Radjabov, Teimour Azerbaijan
278
2
1
2
4
7
10
6
10
18
13
15 Malakhov, Vladimir Russia
238
3
5
9
17
14
9
14
Next in the list are: Ivanchuk V., Adams M., Ponomariov R., Gelfand B., McShane L. 1st place in the list - 13 points, 2nd - 11, 3rd - 9, 4th - 7, 5th - 6, ..., 10th - 1 point.

Reactions in India

The recent Oscar news has generated huge response in India. Most national dailies carried the news on front page. All electronic media carried the news flash and Indian Internet sites carried in front page. Congratulatory messages have poured in from all quarters. The next time Anand returns to India he can expect a hero's welcome.

Here are a few articles on Indian news sites

Anand wins Chess Oscar for third time
06.052004, New Delhi: World number two Viswanathan Anand has won the prestigious Chess Oscar for the third time, leaving behind nearest rival Peter Svidler of Russia by over 1,500 points. The former World Champion, who became only the second non-Russian after Bobby Fischer to win the prestigious annual award thrice, was elected for the Oscar from a worldwide poll involving leading chess writers, critics and journalists from over 50 countries conducted by Russian magazine 64. Anand will receive the award in June in Moscow. The Indian had earlier won the Oscar in 1997 and 1998. [Sify Sports report]

Third Chess Oscar for Vishy Anand
New Delhi, May 6 (UNI) World No. 2 Viswanathan Anand has for the third time won the Chess Oscar, the game's most prestigious annual award. Anand will receive the award in June in Moscow. The results of the worldwide poll, involving the leading chess writers, critics and journalists from over 50 countries, showed Anand (4150 points) a victor by one of the biggest margins in recent times as he finished 1575 points ahead of his nearest rival, Peter Svidler (2575). World No. 1 Garry Kasparov finished way behind in fourth position, the first time he has finished outside top three. Vladimir Kramnik was third. [Deepika report]

Anand wins Chess Oscar for third time
May 06, 2004 13:16 IST: "This is my third Oscar in seven years. Being the only non-Russian apart from Bobby Fischer to have ever won the Chess Oscars is something I am truly proud of. In 2003, I felt I performed the best and the Oscar is a satisfying reward for it." "Winning the Chess Oscars ensures your place among the Legends for the next generation. I think with this third win, my place in that is well secured," added Anand. [Rediff report]

Full information on Anand's Oscar award is given in the NIIT Press Release.

Pictures from previous Oscars

The 1998 Chess Oscar was handed over to Anand in 2000 in New Delhi, to coincide with the Closing Ceremony of the Women's World Championship and the semi finals of the Men's World Championship. The award was handed over by the Union Minister for Power Mr. Suresh Prabhu at a glittering function held at the Taj Palace, New Delhi.

It is interesting to note that when Anand won the Award in 1998 the House of Parliament in India stopped proceedings and broke out in a thunderous one minute applause.

The 1997 Chess Oscar ceremony was held in Moscow on July 26th, 1998 at the Moscow Press Club, which is opposite the Moscow Chess Club. The event had patriotic overtones. It was the first Oscar to be won by a non-Russian since Bobby Fischer and of course the first Indian ever to win it.


Anand receives the 1997 Chess Oscar at the hands of chess legend Boris Spassky. Anand is dressed in a traditional Indian costume.


Boris Spassky. Alexander Roshal (Editor of "64") applaud Anand and wife Aruna


Anand is invited onto the stage to participate in a magician's act


Somehow the magician has removed Anand's watch, and is now pulling it out of a bag.


Thank heavens, it was my favourite watch! Aruna, Anand and FIDE president Kirsan Ilyumzhinov


An historic chess photo. Ex world champion Vassily Smyslov, who is an accomplished operatic singer, accompanied by GM Mark Taimanov, world championship candidate in 1971, who is also a concert pianist. Anand received an autographed copy of Smyslov's CD, a gift the Indian maestro treasures.

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