Chess Legend Anand, 56, Reaches Final After Comeback

After years of standing on the sidelines watching younger players compete, chess legend Viswanathan Anand had enough and stepped back onto the board himself.

The five-time World Champion hadn't played in the Tata Steel Chess India tournament since 2020, attending only as an ambassador. "I got fed up with not playing," Anand admitted after his recent second-place finish at the 2026 tournament in Kolkata.

At 56 years old, Anand faced a challenge many returning athletes know well: getting back into mental shape after months away. "After seven or eight months of not playing chess, you forget that aspect," he explained. Knowing chess moves for commentary is one thing, but actually competing against the world's best players requires a different level of readiness.

So Anand created a comeback plan. He scheduled three consecutive competitions to build momentum: the Jerusalem Masters, the Global Chess League, and finally the Tata Steel event in Kolkata. The strategy worked better than expected.

Anand led the tournament after the first two days, tied with different competitors each time. On the final day, he needed to defeat rising star Nihal Sarin to claim the championship. Instead, he chose to play conservatively and secured second place with a draw.

His training partner, Grandmaster Sandipan Chanda, helped him prepare in October and November. Even though his holiday schedule interrupted practice, that earlier work carried him through the tournament.

Why This Inspires

Anand's return reminds us that stepping away doesn't mean giving up forever. He watched for years, waiting for the right moment to return on his own terms. His decision to compete again wasn't about proving anything to others but about answering his own restless spirit.

The chess legend proved that experience and careful preparation can still challenge the next generation. His willingness to risk losing rather than just watching from the sidelines shows the heart of a true competitor.

Anand plans to compete in more tournaments throughout 2026, though he's letting organizers announce the events first. For now, he's enjoying being back where he belongs: in the game, not just watching it.

The standing ovation he received in Kolkata wasn't just for his second-place finish but for showing everyone that passion doesn't retire.