INDIA’S GREATEST CHESS PLAYERS

MS BANNERJEE

One of the first players whose games were extensively analysed in European chess literature, Moheschunder Bannerjee adapted the western style while playing with Scottish master John Cochrane. They played regularly between 1840 and 1860. Bannerjee was the first to play a system that looked like the modern Grunfeld Defence, with which he outplayed his rival. Austrian GM Ernst Grunfeld later reintroduced it in 1922 and was honoured with the system named after him.

MIR SULTAN KHAN

Considered the strongest player of his time, he won the British Championship thrice in a career spanning less than five years. Working as a servant, he travelled to Britain with his master and astounded everyone with his prowess. He won the British Championship in 1929, ‘32 and ‘33 and was placed in the top-10 then. Regarded as the greatest natural player of his time, Khan returned to India with his master after 1934 and never played chess after that.

MANUEL AARON

One of India’s best modern players, Aaron became the country’s first International Master (IM) in 1961. He dominated the national scene from 1959 to 1980, winning the national title nine times. Was coach, administrator and writer. Born in Burma to Indian parents, he settled in Tamil Nadu and represented India in three Olympiads.

VISWANATHAN ANAND

The greatest player India has produced, he has won the world championship five times, in all variants of classical chess. He has won almost all the championships and titles the game has to offer multiple times. He has been in the world’s top 10 for nearly two decades and is one of the reasons for the chess wave in the country.