Garry Kasparov Takes Dig At Vishy Anand: 'I Should Give Him A Chance To Improve...'

Last Updated:August 23, 2025, 16:04 IST

Garry Kasparov has said he wants to give Indian legend Viswanathan Anand a 'chance to improve' their head-to-head stats in an upcoming exhibition clash.

Vishwanathan Anand (C) is an Indian chess legend. AFP

Garry Kasparov said he wants to ‘give a chance’ to Viswanathan Anand to ‘improve’ their head-to-head score when the duo clash with each other in an exhibition game for the Clutch Chess series.

In classical, Kasparov has beaten Anand 15 to 3, with 30 draws. In rapid and exhibition games, Kasparov’s lead increases to 26 wins and 46 draws with only 10 losses against Anand. This will be Kasparov and Anand’s first match since 2021 at the Croatia Rapid and Blitz competition in Zagreb, where the Russian emerged victorious.

“I think I should give Vishy a chance to improve our score!" Kasparov said on the Sinquefield Cup live broadcast on Friday.

This time, the event features a USD 144,000 (Rs. 1.25 crore) prize fund to be awarded across a 12-game Chess960 match between the two legends. The games will have rapid and blitz time controls. The scoring system is said to be an ‘innovative’ one ‘designed to captivate both players and fans’.

“Two former world champions, Garry Kasparov and Viswanathan Anand, go head-to-head in a special Clutch Chess (Legends) exhibition match from (October 7 to 11). This once-in-a-generation clash celebrates the legacy of two chess greats and officially launches the month of reopening festivities," the St. Louis Chess Club stated in a press release. “The exhibition match will be the first event held in the Club’s enhanced facility, reaffirming the city’s role as the chess capital of the United States and a global leader in the game."

“With USD 412,000 in prize money, including daily win bonuses and a Champion’s Jackpot, the stakes have never been higher. The event’s 18-game rapid double round-robin format (10 minutes plus a 5-second increment) will feature escalating point values each day. Wins are worth one point on Day 1, two points on Day 2, and three points on Day 3," the club added.

Anand wasn’t the only Indian Kasparov patronised. In the same broadcast, he also undermined D Gukesh’s World Championship title, saying that he couldn’t be considered the strongest because Magnus Carlsen didn’t play in the tournament.

News18 Sports brings you the latest updates, live commentary, and highlights from cricket, football, tennis, badmintion, wwe and more. Catch breaking news, live scores, and in-depth coverage. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated!

Location :

First Published:

August 23, 2025, 16:04 IST

News sports Garry Kasparov Takes Dig At Vishy Anand: 'I Should Give Him A Chance To Improve...'

Read More