Anand will return home to rousing reception

Chennai, Oct 15 (UNI) A rousing reception, including a procession to enable the public to savour his achievement, awaits him when the 'son of the soil', Grand Master Viswanathan Anand arrives here for a month-long sojourn in his home town on October 17 in the wake of his winning the world crown for a second time.

Amidst tight security, officials of All India Chess Federation (AICF) and Tamil Nadu Chess Association (TNCA), players especially under-7 and other junior age groups representing schools led by Velammal School, will receive Anand at the airport soon after he arrives here along with his wife Aruna from New Delhi in the afternoon.

Velammal School has been producing many a young champion in the game of 64 squares, drawing inspiration from Anand.

Anand will then be driven to Adyar in south Chennai where his house is located, and taken home in a procession in a coach drawn by four horses with police escort along a specified route, AICF Secretary D V Sundar and TNCA Secretary Manuel Aaron announced at a press conference.

''At the airport, chess lovers, especially children can greet Anand, garland him and interact with him briefly'', they said.

Anand, who is also the world Rapid chess champion, had won his second world championship title at Mexico on September 29. He had earlier won the world crown in the year 2000.

Anand is also expected to be presented the cash award of Rs 25 lakhs which the Tamil Nadu government had announced for bringing glory to the state by becoming the world champion for a second time.

UNI