Cricketers made way for 'Chess King' Vishwanathan Anand in Chennai, lauding his achievements in a glittering felicitation ceremony. India's two of the biggest sport stars came together in Chennai, as Indian cricket captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni felicitated Indian chess prodigy Vishwanathan Anand.

The Indian cricket team was present, as captain MS Dhoni presented a one carat diamond ring worth 5-lakh to Anand, for winning the World Chess Championship in Germany last month. The felicitation was organised on the special occasion of Anand's 39th birthday - by the 'All India Chess Federation' and the Team India (who are in Chennai for the ongoing first Test against England), being present to honour Anand for his feat.

Anand, who cut a cake to celebrate his 39th birthday today, thanked the federation. "I think I will accept the ring in the spirit of brotherhood. I remember the reception the federation gave me last year and again a very special reception this time. It really means a lot to me."

Lauding the AICF's initiatives for motivating younger generations who have achieved a number of awards this year, he said, "One of the beautiful compliments I have received was the banner put up for me by Indian participants in Vietnam, right after my win in Bonn. It is always wonderful when you mean so much to your country. All of you shared my experience in Bonn so closely and it will inspire me in future."

Asian Chess Federation President Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifah Al Nahyan, also presented Anand with a memento but the world chess champion was more than impressed, to be basking in the limelight in the presence of the Indian cricket team. The cricketers will be in Chennai to play their first Test against England, after the match was relocated to the southern metropolis from Ahmedabad following the terror attacks in Mumbai.

Along with Dravid, N Srinivasan, the Treasurer of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and former Indian cricketers Krishnamachari Srikanth and W V Raman, members of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association were also present on the occasion.

On the ongoing Test series between England and India, Anand asked Dhoni to finish the match within the next three days.

He wished Dhoni and the Indian cricket team luck in their ongoing encounter against England. “Good luck for the next four days, though I hope it gets over in three,” he said.

Perfect icon

Earlier, Dhoni waxed eloquent on Anand’s achievement. "Every sport needs an icon, and I cannot think of a better person than Anand in chess.

“If youngsters have a role model like him, there is no reason for them to not succeed," he said.

Dhoni also said that Anand’s triumph was a great occasion for the entire country and that he was “honoured to share the dais” with such a phenomenal achiever. "But I will beat him at chess if he plays left-handed," he quipped. The AICF and TNCA president N. Srinivasan said it was not often that a country or city could lay claim on a talent as exquisite as Anand’s.

Humble

"One is amazed at his ability to retain focus and attention despite all these years. What is even more laudable is that he has always been a very humble person," he added.

AICF secretary D.V. Sundar said Anand was "the only Indian who had kept the country in contention at the international level for nearly two decades".

The chess player was also presented bouquets by Indian chess champions in various age categories.

Along with his wife Aruna, he also cut a ceremonial cake to mark his 40th birthday. Cricketer Rahul Dravid was also present on the occasion.