New Delhi: World number two Viswanathan Anand has won the prestigious Chess Oscar for the third time, leaving behind nearest rival Peter Svidler of Russia by over 1,500 points.

The former world champion, who became only the second non-Russian after Bobby Fischer to win the prestigious annual award thrice, was elected for the Oscar from a worldwide poll involving leading chess writers, critics and journalists from over 50 countries conducted by Russian magazine '64'.

Anand will receive the award in June in Moscow.

The Indian had earlier won the Oscar in 1997 and 1998.

The voters, who based their choice on the performances in 2003, gave Anand 232 first choice votes while Russia's Gary Kasparov tallied 38 and Svidler 35.

The Indian overall garnered a tally of 4,150 points as compared to Svidler's 2575. Braingames champion Vladimir Kramnik garnered 2518 points to finish third.

"I am absolutely elated to be voted the best player for 2003. The Chess Oscar is a vote by the people who follow chess most intently. To be acclaimed by them is a true honour," Anand was quoted as saying in a release by his sponsor NIIT.

"This is my third Oscar in seven years. Being the only non-Russian apart from Bobby Fischer to have ever won the Chess Oscars is something I am truly proud of. In 2003, I felt I performed the best and the Oscar is a satisfying reward," he said.

In 2003, Anand won the Wijk Aan Zee as well as Corus Masters and also became the first player to win in all the three categories of the game - blindfold, rapid and overall - in Melody Amber before going on to become the World Rapid Champion.