TWIC is 31. First issue 17th September 1994.
Clutch Chess: The Legends (Games and Results)
Clutch Chess: The Legends
Mark Crowther - Tuesday 7th October 2025
Kasparov against Anand again. Photo © | https://saintlouischessclub.org
Clutch Chess: The Legends was a match between Viswanathan Anand and Gary Kasparov in Saint Louis 8th to 10th October. Kasparov won the match 13-11 but this score rather flatters Anand who won the final two games after the match was already decided.
Format
Given the stature of the players, a straightforward format might have served better, but instead, the event featured a rather convoluted structure.
- It was a Chess960 match (randomized starting positions)
- Each day included two rapid and two blitz games
- And it followed the Clutch Chess scoring system
- Rapid Games: Games 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, and 10 — time control G/25 +10 seconds increment
- Blitz Games: Games 3, 4, 7, 8, 11, and 12 — time control G/5 +3 seconds increment
Clutch Scoring
- Day 1: Win = 1 point, Draw = 0.5 points
- Day 2: Win = 2 points, Draw = 1 point
- Day 3: Win = 3 points, Draw = 1.5 points
The idea behind Clutch Chess is to keep the match competitive until the very end. But ironically, for the format to work, it almost requires a travesty of a final result.
Match Summary
Kasparov beat Anand 13–11.
- Day 1: Anand blundered in a drawn endgame; the remaining games were drawn.
- Day 2: Anand lost on time in a winning position after losing track of time, then dropped a disastrous blitz game two games later.
- Day 3: Anand still had a chance to take the match by winning two games and avoiding defeat on the final day. However, he lost the second game of the day, which ended the match as a contest, before rallying to win the final two blitz games.
Final Thoughts
It’s hard not to recall the 1992 Fischer–Spassky rematch, which drew criticism despite being quite enjoyable. In contrast, the quality of play in this match was unexpectedly poor given the legendary status of both players. The games are available for download but I don't have a way of displaying them.
Clutch Chess, the legends Final day video
Clutch Chess: The Legends 2025 (Saint Louis USA)
Wed 8th Oct 2025 - Fri 10th Oct 2025 -
Official Site
Clutch Chess: The Legends (2 players 12 Rds Match Indiv ) - Games in PGN: Games
Clutch Chess: The Legends (2 players 12 Rds Match Indiv ) - Games in PGN: Games
| Clutch Chess: The Legends Saint Louis USA Tue 7th Oct 2025 - Sat 11th Oct 2025
Leading Final Round 12 Standings: |
||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rk | Name | Rtg | Gms | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | Pts |
| 1 | Kasparov, Garry | 2812 | 12 | ½ | ½ | 1 | ½ | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1.5 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
| 2 | Anand, Viswanathan | 2743 | 12 | ½ | ½ | 0 | ½ | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1.5 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 11 |
| 2 players | ||||||||||||||||
