 "Anand takes subtle jibe at Kasparov after defeat in 'Clutch Chess': 'Don’t have to hide my face when I return home'")
Viswanathan Anand admitted he was “missing the practical touch completely” while reflecting on his 11-13 defeat at the hands of former arch-rival Garry Kasparov in ‘Clutch Chess: The Legends’, a $144,000 three-day event in St. Louis, USA that concluded on Friday. And responding to Kasparov's jibe of being haunted by "ghosts of the past", the five-time world champion cheekily claimed he “doesnt’ have to hide his face” when he returns home.
Kasparov had defeated former world No 1 and multiple world champion comfortably, clinching the contest by gaining an unassailable 13-5 lead in the event in which games were played in rapid and blitz time controls in the Chess960, a.k.a. FischerRandom, format. Anand later ensured the three-day showdown wasn’t a completely one-sided affair as he won the last two blitz games on Day 3, resulting in a final scoreline of 13-11 at the Saint Louis Chess Club.
‘Had the feeling that I’m not playing competitive chess’
The 55-year-old, however, wasn’t too pleased with his performance and admitted that he “deserved” the loss, especially after his bizarre defeat in the opening game on Day 2 – in which he failed to notice time running out on the clock and lost from a winning position.
Also Read | Anand opens up on clock blunder during Clutch Chess battle against Kasparov: ‘Completely forgot'
“I was shocked when I didn’t win game four on the first day. The next day to lose the first game on time was also completely ridiculous. So that really got to me. And in general I had the feeling that I’m not playing competitive chess. I’m playing some sort of puzzle solving or something. I don’t know. I was missing the practical touch completely. Chess is not some academic conference. It’s just a sport. I think I deserved this,” Anand told ChessBase India after the conclusion of the final day of the event.
Anand happy to sign off with back-to-back wins
The Indian chess icon, however, expressed satisfaction over signing off from the tournament with back-to-back victories over six-time world champion Kasparov, who continues to hold the record for the longest reign as world No 1 (255 months).
“But for all the points I did not convert, it was nice to finish with this blitz at the end… At least I don’t have to hide my face when I return home,” Anand added.
The ‘hide my face’ comment could be construed as a subtle jibe at Kasparov, who is an outspoken critic of the former Soviet Union as well as current President Vladimir Putin and left Russia in 2013 after facing the threat of arrest. He moved to New York City in the United States after fleeing his homeland, and later obtained Croatian citizenship and shifted base to Podstrana, near Split.
The final score of Clutch Chess: The Legends!
— Saint Louis Chess Club (@STLChessClub) October 10, 2025
After an incredible fight, Garry Kasparov finishes with 13 points and Viswanathan Anand with 11.
A historic showdown between two legends in chess history! Thank you to both players for this unforgettable match! ♟️#KasparovAnand… pic.twitter.com/4l0970bqXY
The event comprised two rapid games and as many blitz matches each day with a variable scoring system. Day 1 carried a point for a win and half-a-point for a draw, and the corresponding numbers for Day 2 were 2 points and 1 point respectively. Day 3 was the most decisive though, with a win carrying three points and a draw 1.5.
Kasparov ended up collecting the $70,000 cash prize after winning the event along with a bonus of $8,000 for his victories, with Anand taking home $50,000 along with a $6,000 bonus for his wins on the final day.
The event took place exactly 30 years after the Classical World Chess Championship showdown between Kasparov and Anand, which took place on top of the World Trade Center in New York. Kasparov had also won that battle, which was organised by the defunct Professional Chess Association instead of FIDE, by a 10.5-7.5 scoreline.
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