Former world champions Viswanathan Anand and Garry Kasparov are set to renew their legendary rivalry after three decades when they clash in the Clutch Chess: The Legends tournament in St. Louis from Wednesday.
Clash of legends returns
The 12-game Chess 960 match, featuring both rapid and blitz formats, will be staged at the upgraded St. Louis Chess Club with a total prize pool of USD 144,000. The event revives memories of their iconic 1995 Classical World Championship match, which was held on the 107th floor of New York’s World Trade Center.
Kasparov had dominated that contest, winning the 20-game duel 10.5–7.5. Since retiring in 2004, the Russian grandmaster has only played in exhibition and blitz events, while Anand, now semi-retired, continues to participate occasionally in elite tournaments.
Different paths, same passion
Kasparov currently runs a global chess training programme, while Anand mentors India’s next generation through the WestBridge Anand Chess Academy (WACA), which has already produced a world champion in D. Gukesh.
Format and prize distribution
The three-day encounter will feature four games each day—two rapid and two blitz. Points will escalate daily: one point per win on Day 1, two on Day 2, and three on Day 3.
The winner will take home USD 70,000, while the runner-up will receive USD 50,000. If the match ends in a tie after 12 games, both players will share USD 60,000 each, with an additional USD 24,000 in bonus money.
Discussion about this post