Anand helps create chess boom in India

Report: Chess craze rages in Tamil Nadu
Alaphia Zoyab
Thursday, April 5, 2007 (Chennai)

The success of Viswanathan Anand in the chess world has resulted in a growing craze for the game in Tamil Nadu. The state’s love for the game can be traced back to 1972, when Bobby Fischer ended Russian dominance in chess.That match inspired many people and resulted in chess sets selling like hot cakes in Tamil Nadu.

Then along came Viswanathan Anand and he also proved that the Russians weren’t the only ones who could play chess, and he inspired legions of youngsters to take to the game.

For instance, Aarthie Ramaswamy and her husband R B Ramesh are both grand masters – the second generation of players after Viswanathan Anand.

Here is the full story.