At 56, Anand Takes Another GCL Setback Against MVL as His Remarkable Chess Journey Continues

Xtra Time Newsdesk: Viswanathan Anand’s difficult run in the Global Chess League continued on Wednesday as the five-time world champion suffered another defeat, this time against veteran French Grandmaster Maxime Vachier-Lagrave.

Playing with the black pieces, Anand faced MVL in another demanding battle as the two experienced players went head-to-head. For Anand, however, the result added to a disappointing stretch in the competition after his back-to-back defeats earlier in the tournament.

At 56, Anand remains one of the biggest names in the Global Chess League. He continues to compete against players from a generation that has grown up with a different approach to preparation, speed and modern chess. The smallest details can make a major difference at this level, and Anand’s recent results show just how difficult it is to stay consistently ahead in such a competitive field.

Yet, focusing only on the losses would miss another important part of Anand’s GCL campaign.

His teammates continue to recognise what he brings to the board. Arjun Erigaisi, who represents the same Alaskan Knights side, recently spoke about his admiration for Anand’s longevity, saying he could hardly imagine how many people could continue playing at such a high level at this age.

Anand may not have produced the results he would have wanted in every game, but he has still shown a willingness to compete against some of the strongest players in the league. His presence itself remains a reminder of his extraordinary longevity.

For a player who has carried the title of world champion five times, the GCL may be another reminder that chess never stops changing. But Anand’s continued fight also shows why his name remains evergreen on the chessboard.