Kasparov Wins Clutch Chess 2025, Anand Finishes Strong
Garry Kasparov won the 2025 Clutch Chess: The Legends event with two games still left to play. The victory came exactly 30 years after he defeated Viswanathan Anand in the 1995 World Chess Championship.
Anand did not win any of the earlier games, but he finished on a positive note. He claimed victory in the last two blitz games, earning $16,000 in bonus money and closing the final score to 13-11.
A Strong Lead on the Final Day
Kasparov started the final day with a five-point lead. Each win was worth three points, so Anand still had a chance if he could win back-to-back games. He opened the day with 1.b3, a move that became the signature of the match. Kasparov replied after a long pause with 1…b6.
Both players made unusual decisions in the opening, and engines were critical of their choices. At one stage, Anand looked close to winning, but Kasparov defended accurately and held a draw even with a pawn down.
The draw gave both players 1.5 points each. Anand still needed two wins, but now Kasparov needed just one victory to seal the match.
Kasparov Clinches the Title
In the next game, Anand started well with the black pieces and gained early momentum. However, a mistake with a knight move to b4 changed the course of the game. Kasparov seized the chance, punished a blunder, and converted his advantage convincingly.
With this win, Kasparov secured the match with a 13-5 score. He also earned the $70,000 winner’s prize plus $8,000 in bonus money, totaling $78,000.
Kasparov Reflects on the Match
Kasparov called the win “lucky” but said he fought hard to make the most of his chances. He felt he was more resilient and better in time pressure than Anand expected. He also mentioned that Anand’s past record against him might have added psychological pressure.
Two Blitz Games Still to Play
Although the match result was decided, two blitz games remained. These were worth three points each plus the collected bonus money for earlier draws, totaling $16,000. Kasparov admitted that after securing the match, he found it hard to stay focused.
This was Anand’s moment to shine. In the first blitz game, he launched a strong attack, broke through with 25.f6!, and won.
The final game was full of tactics and wild swings. Anand sacrificed a bishop with 15…Bxg3! and created chaos. Kasparov had chances but eventually lost on time in a losing position.
Anand won both blitz games, earning all $16,000 and six match points. He ended the match only two points and $12,000 behind Kasparov.
A Finish Filled With Positives
Anand closed the event with good energy and signed autographs for fans. Kasparov said his goal was to entertain the audience, even if he no longer plays at his peak level.
The focus in St. Louis now shifts to the 2025 U.S. Chess Championship. Stars like Fabiano Caruana, Wesley So, Levon Aronian, and Hans Niemann are ready to compete. The U.S. Women’s Championship will also take place, with Tatev Abrahamyan among the contenders.
You can rewatch the games on the Saint Louis Chess Club YouTube or Twitch channels. The commentary team featured GM Yasser Seirawan, GM Maurice Ashley, WGM Anastasiya Karlovich, and James “Dash” Patterson.
The event celebrated the opening of the club’s new venue. The Legends segment featured six rapid and six blitz Chess960 games between Kasparov and Anand, with escalating stakes—one point per win on day one, two points on day two, and three on day three. Draws added to the prize pool until the final blitz games.
Photos: Lennart Ootes
Source: CHESS.com
