Chess wizard Anand turns 50

India's chess legend and winner of five world titles Viswanathan Anand turned 50 on Wednesday. The Chennai-born chess ace is celebrating the day with his family.

He had posted a picture of himself and his son Akhil on Twitter and wrote: "Partners in crime! Yes there's cake tomorrow!" A book "Mind Master", penned by Anand along with sports writer Susan Ninan is being released to coincide with his birthday.

Anand, India's torchbearer in chess and the country's first-ever Grand Master, has inspired a legion of players including the city-based R Praggnanandhaa. Anand won the World Chess Championship for the first time in 2000. He won the World Rapid Chess Championship in 2003 and 2017.