The pinnacle of his career was achieved on 24th December 2000 when Anand became the World Chess Champion in Tehran. Anand won the championship by remaining unbeaten. By winning the title Anand became the first Asian to win the title ending many years of Soviet domination of the ancient Indian game.
Anand has been awarded many prestigious awards in India like the Arjuna Award, the Padmashri (the youngest recipient of the title), the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, and the Padma Bhushan. Anand has also received the ‘Jameo de Oro’, one of Spain’s highest civilian award given to a foreigner. Anand’s razor-sharp thinking and rapid moves have earned him the nickname the lightning Kids.