New Delhi: History repeated itself after three decades as Gary Kasparov beat Viswanathan Anand in the 10th game of the Clutch Chess Legends to win the match with two games to spare. Both the legends of the game met way back in 1995, October 10 where Anand took a draw in the 18th match to concede the 20-games Classical World Championship match against Kasparov 7.5-10.5 on the 107th floor of the World Trade Centre in New York.
The last two games under blitz time control were played and Indian GM Anand pulled back two wins, though a little late in the day. The scoreline eventually read 13-11 in favour of Kasparov who won USD 78,000 while Anand took home USD 66,000 in the USD 1,44,000 contest.
While Kasparov was leading the match by five points but he somewhere knew that the Indian chess legend possessed a chance to win the game as the last day as many as 12 points at stake with each win worth three points. Anand began the day with a hard-fought draw and then was successful in capturing the initiative early in the second game.
I didn’t expect to win the match: Kasparov
Inspite of this, Kasparov kept himself in contention and a wrong trad by Anand cost the Indian ace as he went down in the queen and minor piece endgame. After the win, Kasparov said that he did not expect to win the match but was pleased with the buzz it created.
‘I wouldn’t say it’s very important. I am treating it as a show. I am very pleased that a lot of people followed it. It was a big story online. I have to say I did not expect to end this match as a winner. I totally relaxed after the (second) game. All my systems, they just went blank. Though I tried, it’s just not the same tenacity that I had before. I had very decent position but I just blew up very quickly. I am pleased that I am back in Saint Louis. I definitely exceeded my expectations and expectations of many others,’ said Kasparov after winning the match.
(With PTI inputs)