Anand’s downward spiral
Garry Kasparov extended his lead over Viswanathan Anand to 8½-3½ after the second day of action at Clutch Chess: The Legends in Saint Louis. The 13th world champion took full advantage of his rival’s time-trouble mishap in the opening game and later added another win to consolidate his advantage.
Despite the scoreline, the match remains open, with twelve points still available on the final day under the escalating “clutch” scoring system.
The second day featured four games – two rapid and two blitz – played from a new Chess960 starting position, #649.
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Free sample video: Introduction
Free sample video: Invisible moves
Both players appeared well-prepared for the fresh setup, though the day quickly turned in Kasparov’s favour after a dramatic moment in the first game.
Fabiano Caruana sharing notes with Garry Kasparov | Photo: Lennart Ootes
Game 5: Kasparov 0-1 Anand
Anand surprised Kasparov in the opening with 1.e4 e6, a move that sent Kasparov into a long think. The resulting position was symmetrical and appeared destined for a draw until Kasparov overreached with 29.f5, a move he later described as “a complete blunder”.
Anand found the precise 29…Bxf5! 30.gxf5 bxc5, which left him clearly winning. However, after 31.dxc5 Ne4 32.c4, as he deliberated between two promising continuations, Anand lost track of his clock and flagged in a completely winning position.
The shock defeat visibly unsettled the Indian star and gave Kasparov a psychological boost heading into the remaining games.
Both players dumbfounded after the sudden conclusion of game five | Photo: Lennart Ootes
Game 6: Anand ½–½ Kasparov
The day’s second encounter featured correct play from both sides. Anand’s early 8.g4 created immediate tension, offering White strong – even decisive – attacking chances if Black accepted the pawn sacrifice.
Kasparov, however, replied by the correct 8…g6. In case of 8…fxg4 White has 9.Nxe4 dxe4 10.Bxe4 (diagram), with a devastating attack against the black king sitting on the queenside.
The middlegame developed into a tactical battle with balanced chances until the queens came off, and the position levelled out. A draw was agreed shortly after move forty in an even endgame, with both players satisfied to reset before the blitz phase.
Indian superstar Vishy Anand | Photo: Lennart Ootes
Game 7: Kasparov 1-0 Anand
Anand’s struggles continued in the first blitz game of the day, which ended abruptly after a blunder on move 17. Both players had been trying to coordinate their pieces for long castling, when Kasparov suddenly realised he could instead castle short – an option previously overlooked by both. His unexpected 11.0-0 immediately shifted the balance.
Anand later remarked: “After that, I’m just much worse”. Kasparov’s discovery effectively decided the game, and Anand resigned on the spot after dropping a piece with 17…Rc7
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Free sample video: Introduction
Free sample video: Hanging pawns d5/c5
After 18.exf6 both the rook on c7 and the knight on e7 are hanging.
Garry Kasparov at the start of game seven | Photo: Lennart Ootes
Game 8: Anand ½–½ Kasparov
The final game of the day could have widened the gap further. Kasparov built up a comfortable edge early on, but he eventually chose not to risk too much, allowing Anand to stabilise and form a solid fortress. The game concluded after thirty-eight moves with all sixteen pawns still on the board.
Kasparov noted, referring to his unexpected win in the first game of the day, “I feel guilty, I don’t know why I deserve this kind of luck”.
With Kasparov now holding a five-point lead, Anand faces a steep challenge going into the final day. Yet the unique scoring system ensures that a comeback remains possible: each win on day three will be worth three points, meaning two victories could erase the deficit.
The post-mortem interview conducted by Anastasiya Karlovich | Photo: Lennart Ootes
