Anand's seconds collecting titles

In addition to being paid, working with top-level players can make the seconds better players. It certainly seems to have helped Ganguly. Late last month, he won the Asian Continental Open in the Philippines. The tournament was a qualifier for the World Cup, an important step on the road to the world championship.

After his victory, Ganguly told The Hindu newspaper, "Being Anand’s second gave me the chance to see how champions play and prepare at the highest level. That helped in reshaping my approach to chess."

Assisting a World Champion Yields Dividends in a Title

Ganguly also won the 46th Indian Championship.

Radoslaw Wojtaszek, who also helped Anand during the match against Kramnik in October, went on to win the European Rapid Championship (December) and Rilton Cup (January 2009)