In July 1999, Anand outplayed the most popular chess software programme, Fritz. Subsequently,Viswanathan Anand became the first Asian to win the World Chess Championship title. Anand won the world title on 24th December 2000, defeating Spain's Alexei Shirov at Teheran. For his outstanding performance and achievements Anand has received many awards; the Arjuna Award for Outstanding Indian Sportsman in 1985, Padmashree, National Citizens Award and Soviet Land Nehru Award in 1987. Viswanathan Anand was also awarded the prestigious Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. Anand has also won the coveted Chess Oscars in 1997, 1998 and 2004.