Try taking a guess on India's richest sporstperson in terms of prize money winnings. Sachin Tendulkar? Leander Paes? Think again. Chess grandmaster Vishwanathan Anand, the world's no. 2 and king-in-waiting, is the winner by far. Every time Anand appears in a tournament, he tots up a few millions.
If only he could get the kind of endorsements that fall into the laps of cricketers in India, Anand would probably gross double of Sachin's earnings.
Till now, all the chess wizard had by way of sponsorships was a campaign for Horlicks, an endorsement for Ramco from 1991-96, and an eminently forgettable campaign for Memory Plus.
No wonder it came as a big boost for him when, last week, IT-major NIIT signed him on as its brand ambassador for a reportedly lucrative amount (both parties refused to disclose the sum, despite a press conference to announce the deal). However, the message is out: Anand is in the market for brand endorsements. "It is healthy for your sport if you can get endorsements," says the soft-spoken champ.
Jokes Kuruvilla Abraham of TNQ Sponsorship India Pvt Ltd, which manages Anand's media appearances and sponsorships, "If you know of any company looking out for a brand ambassador, let me know." But jokes apart, ex-ITC man Kuruvilla, who swung the NIIT deal, is actively seeking to get more endorsements, Indian and international, for Anand and has advertised it on the web. As for Anand, ever since the Memory Plus fiasco, he felt it would be better to place himself in the hands of a professional.
"Endorsing an IT company is right up my street," grins Anand, "since I really believe it is the need of the future." Anand spent a week at the NIIT offices and schools getting acquainted with the "product" that he is endorsing, and shooting for their campaigns, uses the computer a great deal for his training.
He's also one of the few players in the world to have taken on six computers simultaneously and won (at the Aegon Man vs Computers chess event). He may be world number two in classical chess, but in the rapid version, and the blindfold, he is the undisputed king.
In 1997, at the Melody Amber Tournament at Monaco, he finished first in both blindfold and rapid, becoming the first player in the history of the tournament to do so. Incidentally, the blindfold chess event (both players are blindfolded and the board is dispensed with, with all moves being played out of memory) yields a lot of prize money, as do the rapid chess tourneys, since spectator interest is high.
For all his achievements, to all appearances Anand is still very much the boy next door. Friendly, open and unassuming, he looks abashed when quizzed about his winnings. "Is he richer than Sachin?
"From what I read in the papers, Sachin earns a lot," Anand says. What about his own earnings? "I am not complaining either," he smiles disarmingly. But for his part, most of Anand's winnings don't necessarily translate into hefty gains. For, he ploughs back as much in his effort to reach the till-now unassailable No.1 slot. As V Krishnaswamy, sports editor, Indian Express, who has been tracking Anand's moves for the last 13 years says: "He may win half a million dollars at an event, but he isn't left with even a penny in the bank."
Expenses include Georgian trainer Elizar Ubilava who commands a hefty price. If you thought chess was just a mind sport, think again. "At the GM level, where there is hardly any difference between players, if you are physically fit, then you have a wee bit advantage," says Anand, who keeps himself in prime condition by mountain biking and swimming. Also adding to Anand's expenses is his stay in Spain. For several years now, Anand has been living in Mediano near Madrid. "It's a matter of convenience since all the big tournanments are in Europe," explains his wife Aruna, who is his constant companion.
"Chess is a reasonably big time sport there," adds Anand,and he is close to Linares where the action is concentrated. However, the move to Spain has meant that Anand's parents, who are his biggest critics and who got him involved in the game, can't meet him as often. "But I have got them e-mail and taught them how to use the net, so now they follow all my games live. After every match, I get a mail from them criticising my moves," grins Anand, adding that his parents don't even have to read the papers any more.
The only Asian and non-Russian apart from Bobby Fischer to be conferred the International Chess Oscar (in 1997), Anand is respected abroad _ and a true ambassador for India, besides being the only truly global champion that the country has produced. When will he become world champion? "By the end of this year," he says confidently. What about the recent loss at Dos Hermanas where he got a -2 score? Well, a hard knock on the head is sometimes more effective than a few gentle taps, he says, adding that he will be putting in extra effort with his trainer in May, when he takes a month off from tournaments. He needs that. He has a meeting with world number one Garry Kasparov in June, and the Las Vegas world championship in July. But then, Anand is usually two moves ahead of everyone. wn, feet-up figures, must surely get upset if picture-hangers err in that crucial step: hang pictures upside down. Does abstract painter Suhas Nimbalkar get cross when he sees a part of his work hung bottom-side up? The Delhi-based artist thoughtfully cups his beard with his hands for a few seconds at the Art Konsult gallery, which held a preview of his works last week. He retraces his steps to take a second look again, and then pronounces pensively. "No, I am not upset. I see a new possibility in creating space."">
