Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday lauded Viswanathan Anand, for claiming his second World Rapid Chess Championship, saying “you’ve proven your mettle time and again”.
PM Modi, while congratulating Viswanathan Anand, in a tweet said that “You’ve proven your mettle time and again. Your tenacity inspires us. India is proud of your exemplary success at the World Rapid Chess Championship”.
Congratulations @vishy64theking! You’ve proven your mettle time and again. Your tenacity inspires us. India is proud of your exemplary success at the World Rapid Chess Championship!
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) December 29, 2017
Earlier in the day, President Ram Nath Kovind on Friday congratulated Viswanathan Anand for winning World Rapid Chess Championship.
President Kovind took to Twitter to congratulate the chess maestro and said “such determined pursuit of excellence across decades makes you an inspiration for all of us. India is proud of you”.
Congratulations Viswanathan Anand for winning the World Rapid Chess Championship. Such determined pursuit of excellence across decades makes you an inspiration for all of us. India is proud of you #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) December 29, 2017
The 48-year-old, who had been drawing flak from critics for a string of sub-par performances in the recent past, hit back in style, by winning the World Rapid title in Riyadh on Thursday.
The former world champion remained unbeaten through the tournament and came back strongly to bag the top position on a tie-break after a three-way tie with Russians Vladimir Fedoseev and Ian Nepomniachtchi at 10.5 points from a possible 15.
The Chennai ace then defeated Fedoseev 2-0 in a two-game tie-break to win the trophy.
Viswanathan Anand claimed his first world title in 2003.