Vishy Anand in Kenya

by Kenya Chess Masala - 21/04/2017

Do you recognize the boy in the thumbnail? Well, he is none other than Akhil, son of Vishy and Aruna Anand. Vishy has been travelling to tournaments alone recently. Akhil's summer vacations have begun and the trio are now in Kenya for promoting chess! We have some very nice pictures of Anand in the Maasai Shuka - the traditional wear of the Maasai tribe in East Africa.

One of India’s most illustrious sons and former World Chess Champion GM Viswanathan Anand yesterday evening landed in Nairobi for his maiden visit to Kenya.

Reception committee at Nairobi International Airport from left – WFM Sanjana Deshpande, Chess Kenya Chairman Benard Wanjala, GM Viswanathan Anand, Satish Deshpande, Sumit Deshpande & Sandhya Deshpande. Photo credit Allan Victor of Arongoey Photography.

GM Viswanathan Anand is here as a guest of honour for the ongoing Africa Zone 4.2 U16 Youth Team Chess Championship and the Mombasa International Open Chess Tournament.

GM Viswanathan Anand with his Maasai “shuka”. Photo credit Allan Victor of Arongoey Photography.

His busy schedule will see him travel to visit one of Kenya’s famous game parks, a gala dinner in Nairobi on 21st April and another one in Mombasa on 23rd April 2017 as well as other social engagements.

Anand flew in from Zurich after competing in the 2017 Kortchnoi Zurich Chess Challenge where he finished third with 4.5/7 points. GM Hikaru Nakamura won the event with 5.0/7 followed by GM Ian Nepomniachtchi also with 5.0/7.

His wife Aruna and son Akhil are travelling with him on this trip to Kenya.

Aruna Anand. (Photo credit Allan Victor of Arongoey Photography)

Akhil Anand. (Photo credit Allan Victor of Arongoey Photography)

This article was first published by Kim Bhari on Kenya Chess Masala.

Anand will be giving a master class in Marrakech, Morrocco from 4th to 8th May. ChessBase India will cover his journey.