Former world chess champion Viswanathan Anand returned to India on May 31 after being stuck in Germany for over three months due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Anand boarded an Air India flight from Frankfurt on May 30 and reached Bengaluru via Delhi, reported PTI.

The five-time world champion then spent 14 days under self-quarantine as per rules laid down by the Karnataka government.“He will undergo quarantine and come to Chennai as per protocol,” his wife Aruna Anand told PTI.

The chess grandmaster, who was in Germany to take part in the Schachbundesliga chess league, was forced to stay in the country after the ongoing pandemic disrupted sporting schedules across the globe and travel restrictions were imposed to stop the spread of the virus.

The virus, which was first reported in China in December, disrupted sporting events across the globe from March to May.

Anand spent most of his time in his apartment and only went out for short walks or to buy essentials. He stayed in touch with his family through regular video calls.

Anand was staying near Frankfurt and was doing online commentary for the Candidates tournament, which was called off mid-way due to the pandemic. The chess star also led the Indian team in the Online Nations Cup earlier in May.