In the comeback game, Kasparov holds Anand to a draw
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Russian grandmaster Garry Kasparov returned to competitive chess after 12 years with a draw against Indian GM Vishwanathan Anand at the St Louis rapid and blitz tournament. Both of them were laying against each other since the final tournament appearance in Linares in 2005.
The $150,000 tournament that started on August 14 features ten of the world's best players, including four wild-card picks. But, the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis witnessed a huge increase in the number of spectators due to the comeback of Kasparov and the duo didn't disappoint as well.
Playing with white pieces, the Indian opted for a Sicilian move, before both players signed the peace treaty after 31 moves. After the sixth round, Kasparov is joint-seventh in the points table with Anand and Russian Sergiy Karjakin with five points.
In his recent return to the professional chess circuit, Kasparov drew his first four rounds, before losing in the fifth round to fellow Russian Grand Master Ian Nepomniachtchi on Tuesday. Playing with white, Kasparov played with the Gruenfeld Defense before succumbing to his compatriot’s tactics in the 37th move.
Expressing his happiness on his return to the sport, the Russian said, “It’s a thrill to officially be returning to the game, and certainly not something I would have anticipated more than a decade after my retirement,” reiterating his keenness to return to the sport, the 54-year-old had mentioned. He also added, “Coming back to the board in Saint Louis is truly an
Kasparov and Anand have played 78 games against each other before this, out of which Kasparov has 27 wins against Anand's eight and the remaining 43 ending ended in draws.Â
