Former world champion Garry Kasparov’s much awaited clash against Viswanathan Anand in the inaugural edition of the Saint Louis Rapid and Blitz tournament in Saint Luis ended in a draw on Tuesday.
The two former world No 1’s met in the sixth round of the rapid event in the tournament on Tuesday. Playing with white pieces, the Indian opted for a Sicilian move, before both players signed the peace treaty after 31 moves.
Following the sixth round, Kasparov is joint-seventh in the points table with Anand and fellow Russian Sergey Karjakin with five points. In his nascent 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.
The last three round robin games in the rapid event will be played on Wednesday. Kasparov will take on Czech Grand Master David Navara in the seventh round.
“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 honor – I wouldn’t want to commemorate this moment anywhere else.”
Kasparov vs Anand Moves:
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bb5 Nd7 4. d4 cd4 5. Qd4 a6 6. Bd7 Bd7 7. Nc3 e5 8. Qd3 h6 9. Nd2 Be6 10. Nc4 Rc8 11. Ne3 Nf6 12. O-O Be7 13. Rd1 O-O 14. Bd2 Rc5 15. a4 Qc8 16. Be1 Rd8 17. b4 Rc7 18. a5 Bc4 19. Qd2 d5 20. Ncd5 Nd5 21. ed5 Bg5 22. d6 Rcd7 23. Qc3 Be3 24. Qe3 Rd6 25. Rd6 Rd6 26. Qe5 Qc6 27. Qc5 Qc5 28. bc5 Re6 29. Bc3 Bd5 30. Re1 Re1 31. Be1 f6