Chennai: Tamil Nadu chief Chennai: Tamil Nadu chief minister M. Karunanidhi on Wednesday presented a cash award of Rs 25 lakh to Viswanathan Anand for winning the world title for a second time in Mexico last month.

Congratulating him, the chief minister presented the cheque to Anand, who was accompanied by wife Aruna, at the secretariat here.

An official press release said the state government had presented Anand with a high-income group flat at the SAF Games Village here when he won the title for first time in 2000.

Later, talking to reporters, Anand said the state government was planning to promote the game of chess at the panchayat and village levels.

“The chief minister discussed the proposal with me and I have given my views,” he said. When asked if he thought cricket was being given more importance than other sports, he said due recognition and appreciation were being given to chess both by the state and central governments.