Clash of Titans: Kasparov Edges Anand on Day 1 of Clutch Chess Legends
In a nostalgic nod to their epic 1995 World Championship showdown, chess legends Garry Kasparov and Viswanathan Anand reignited their rivalry at the Saint Louis Chess Club’s Clutch Chess series’ grand opening. The 2025 Clutch Chess: The Legends—a 12-game Chess960 (Fischer Random) exhibition—kicked off on October 8 with 2 games each in rapid & blitz time controls.
The fixed starting position promised chaos, leveling the playing field by randomizing piece placements and nullifying opening theory. Day 1 unfolded with two rapid games, both ending in hard-fought draws. Anand, playing White in the opener, pressed aggressively but Kasparov’s sight for the defensive resources held him firm in a rollercoaster affair marked by mutual inaccuracies. Garry managed to take the lead by winning a clean first blitz game over Anand while surviving yet another lost position in the final blitz game, maintaining his lead.
The result? Kasparov leads 2.5-1.5. A humble Kasparov attributed his lead to luck, saying, “I think I have to watch my back on the street now; with this kind of luck – it’s really dangerous!”
It was interesting to witness both legends receiving help from world-class players such as Fabiano Caruana, who assisted Garry in assessing the starting position, while former World Blitz Champion Lê Quang Liêm helped Vishy. At 62 and 55, the duo dazzled with vintage flair—Kasparov’s dynamism clashing against Anand’s resilience. With points doubling on Day 2, the $144,000 prize pool hangs in the balance. Chess fans worldwide tuned in and enjoyed these two chess immortals battle it out like the old days.
