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The upcomiing Clutch Chess exhibition match is claimed to be a once-in-a-generation clash, which will feature 12 games in the Chess960 format, which this year will be played between the Indian legend Viswanathan Anand and Garry Kasparov. The two former world champions will face each other one more time, in a USD144,000 prize fund game. Viswanathan Anand, India’s five-time world champion, and Garry Kasparov, the Russian player who dominated chess with six FIDE world titles, have faced off 82 times across various formats, with Kasparov holding the edge in their head-to-head record, including 15 wins to Anand’s 3 in classical chess and 26 wins to 10 in rapid and exhibition games, alongside 30 draws.
The chess world is abuzz with anticipation as two of its greatest legends, Garry Kasparov and Viswanathan Anand, prepare to reignite their storied rivalry in a special Clutch Chess (Legends) exhibition match from October 7 to 11, 2025, at the St. Louis Chess Club. Their most iconic encounter came in the 1995 PCA World Chess Championship on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center’s South Tower, where Kasparov defeated Anand 10½–7½ after a dramatic battle. Their last competitive meeting was at the 2021 Croatia Rapid and Blitz in Zagreb, where reports vary on the outcome, with some indicating Anand emerged victorious, adding intrigue to their upcoming duel.
The Clutch Chess Legends match will feature rapid and blitz time controls
It is claimed in reports that the Clutch Chess: Legends match which is set to unfold in St. Louis, will feature rapid and blitz time controls. The Chess960 format, where the starting positions of pieces are randomized, reportedly adds an element of unpredictability, leveling the playing field by reducing reliance on memorized openings. Garry Kasparov, now 62 and semi-retired from competitive chess, remains a towering figure in the game, having achieved a peak Elo rating of 2851, second only to Carlsen’s record of 2882. Viswanathan Anand, on the other hand, is celebrated for his rapid playing style and universal approach, reportedly earning him the sobriquet “Lightning Kid” in his early years.
A former world number one and the first Indian to win the world championship, Anand has five titles and victories in rapid and blitz events, including the 2003 and 2017 FIDE World Rapid Chess Championships. Reports claim that while adding a playful twist, Kasparov took a light-hearted jab at Anand during a Sinquefield Cup broadcast on August 22, 2025, saying, “I think I should give Vishy a chance to improve our score!” The comment, reportedly referencing Kasparov’s edge, has fueled excitement for their match, with fans eager to see if Anand can close the gap.
