Garry Kasparov defeated Viswanathan Anand 13-11 in the Clutch Chess Legends match held in Saint Louis, winning the contest with two games to spare and earning USD 78,000.
The match echoed their 1995 World Championship battle, which ended with Anand conceding on October 10. Thirty years later, Kasparov repeated history by clinching the 10th game and securing the title.
Anand started the final day with a draw and gained early momentum in the second game. Kasparov responded with resilience and capitalized on a critical error by Anand in the queen-and-minor-piece endgame.
Kasparov sealed the match before the final two blitz games, which Anand won. The final scoreline read 13-11, with Anand earning USD 66,000 from the USD 1,44,000 prize pool.
Kasparov admitted surprise at his victory and described the match as a show that generated significant online buzz. He acknowledged his diminished tenacity but praised the experience and engagement.
“I exceeded my expectations and those of many others,” Kasparov said. He credited his resilience and noted Anand’s historical struggles against him might have played a psychological role.
Kasparov beats Anand once again, reinforcing his legacy and entertaining fans with a nostalgic yet competitive performance. He emphasized his role as an entertainer, calling it his “sacred duty” to return to the board.
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