'I hope people get to know me a little better,' Legendary chess player Viswanathan Anand turns 50

"I hope people get to know me a little better with my book," Viswanathan Anand, who turned 50 on Wednesday, said during his book launch.

The book, "Mind Master" penned by the winner of five world titles along with sports writer Susan Ninan was released to coincide with his birthday.

It all began in the 80s when Anand won the national sub-junior championship and soon would go on to clinch the Junior Asian Championship. Little did the nation know that they were about to have a world champion in the little boy from Egmore.

It took approximately five years to become the first-ever grandmaster from India since his debut in professional chess. The world knew he was special because he had attained the feat at the age of just 19. He not only lived up to the expectations but also went beyond them and more importantly, he was consistent time and again as he was en route becoming one of the greatest of all-time.

His achievements in his decorated career include world championship titles in 2000-2002 until his undisputed titles in 2007-2013, alongside his world titles from 2003 and 2017 and the numerous other events he won in all those years.

Anand still remains the only player to win the championship held in three formats — knockout (2000), tournament (2007), matches (2008, 2010 & 2012). His maiden title is a tad more special to Anand, a case with any champion of a sport. "All five titles are close to my heart. But the first one is always special,'' Anand had said after winning the fifth crown.

The person who introduced chess to Ananad was his mother, Sushila. After every win or loss, Anand had a habit of ringing up his mother but after her death, his wife Aruna became his pillar of support, who is also his manager and has a huge role in helping him complete his book.

Speaking about his book, Anand told Chess.com," What I hope with my book is that people get to know me a little bit better. For chess players, I hope they find some of my experiences and stories interesting and for the non-chess player I hope they take away a slightly more accurate picture, a close-up of what a chess player's life and thoughts are like.

I hope, broadly, for both of them the life lessons that I have picked will seem relevant and something they can empathize with."