Get ready for a monumental clash! After three decades, chess legends Viswanathan Anand and Garry Kasparov are set to rekindle their epic rivalry. They will go head-to-head in the thrilling Clutch Chess: The Legends tournament, kicking off this Wednesday, October 8, 2025, in St. Louis.
This highly anticipated 12-game match, played in the dynamic Chess 960 format, boasts an impressive total prize pool of $144,000. All the action will unfold at the state-of-the-art St. Louis Chess Club.
Their last major encounter was a historic Classical World Championship match in 1995, high above New York City on the 107th floor of the World Trade Centre. Now, these two titans of the chessboard will compete once more, this time in the fast-paced rapid and blitz variant, recently rebranded as ‘Freestyle Chess’.
Kasparov famously dominated their 1995 showdown, securing a decisive 10.5-7.5 victory in the 20-game contest. Since his retirement in 2004, Kasparov has primarily participated in exhibition and blitz events. Anand, while semi-retired from top-tier competition, still makes occasional appearances in major tournaments.
Beyond the board, Kasparov leads a global chess training program, while Anand has dedicated his efforts to nurturing India’s next generation of chess talent. He is the driving force behind the Westbridge Anand Chess Academy (WACA), which has already helped produce a world champion in the prodigious D Gukesh.
The tournament format promises escalating excitement! This three-day event will feature four games daily, comprising two rapid and two blitz matches. The stakes intensify with each passing day: Day one sees four points total, Day two doubles the value with each win earning two points, and on the final Day three, every victory will be worth a thrilling three points.
The ultimate victor will claim a hefty $70,000 (roughly ₹62 lakh), with the runner-up still taking home a respectable $50,000 (approximately ₹44 lakh).
Should the 12-game match conclude in a tie, the prize money will be equally split, with each player receiving $60,000 (approximately ₹53 lakh).
Additionally, a bonus of $24,000 (about ₹21 lakh) will be awarded across the 12 games.