Chance meeting with Viswanathan Anand and the pivotal moment in my career!

In my previous post I wrote about how the Apps got me a job in Motorola.

Now work on the Motorola MOTOACTV smart watch was going on well. On the personal front, I had also released 3 Android chess apps on the Play Store (no iOS apps yet, since this was still a side hustle using tech skills which I knew).

Meeting Anand

The year was 2012, and a team from Motorola with me as the captain, decided to participate in a Corporate Chess tournament in the month of July. The event consisted of team matches as well as an individual tournament. The highlight of the event was also a chance to play a game with none other than the then world champion Viswanathan Anand, provided one finishes in the top 10. There was also an option for a dinner with him (paid entry!).

Although the team did not fare well, in the individual event I finished 4th, which meant I was eligible to play Anand! What a moment it was for me, not only to personally see the world chess champion face to face but try my chess skills against him.

Anand in his typical blue NIIT shirt. This is a 'chess simul' where he goes around making one move on each board and then circles back!

The champ making a move on my board. Obviously, I lost the game after a risky sacrifice (as if it was going to work against him!)

But there's more!

This experience was only the icing on the cake. Following this, there was supposed to be a paid dinner event with him. Initially I was hesitant to shell time and money (same old problem), but eventually I gave in to the temptation of meeting my chess hero even up close. (Lesson I have learnt since then: Dont worry about spending money, be it on improving the product or for any new opportunities!)

Intently listening to the world champ's stories. Me (standing, first from left)

Every Indian chess fan's dream pic!

And what a memorable dinner it turned out to be! During this meeting, I was wondering if I should tell him about my Apps, but never got an opportunity since he was constantly surrounded. But when he was just about to leave, I caught hold of him near the elevator. By then, I had noticed he had a Android phone! So I seized my chance and quickly told him about what I do and my chess apps. He seemed interested in knowing more and guess what; he shared his email ID with me!!!

The very next day I shared links to my Apps. One fine day, we even chatted on GChat and he asked questions related to the puzzles app which he was keen on using.

The Big Step

Meanwhile, at work, Google acquired Motorola and naturally there were changes. The MOTOACTV product that we were working on was shelved and we were moved into the Phone team which mostly involved bug fixes to the Android system apps.

The Chess apps were earning a decent revenue from Ads & paid content (around $1000 per month). So all things considered, the next year, on April 4th 2013, I decided to take the biggest step of my career and quit my high-paying job and took the plunge into the world of entrepreneurship! Goes without saying that this will always remain the pivotal moment of my career.

Had never read any business books before

Having no prior experience on running a business (nor in the family), I started reading more and more books on business, leadership & biographies. Prior to this, I always used to read either books on chess or programming/technology and never ever had I touched any book on business or entrepeneurship or leadership. But this changed everything. I was thirsty to learn more. I would have never imagined, but this is what I started to read more.

One book which I always recommend to my friends who have a full-time job but are thinking of starting a side hustle is this one: 'Entrepreneur 5pm to 9am'.

Another inspiring piece of read is Alan Watts: What if money was no object? Check out the video version below:

In the next post, I talk more in-depth on how the full-time entrepreneurship journey commenced and details on how I hired, stored ideas etc.