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12:39, 15-Aug-2017
Chess legend Kasparov rolls back the years in competitive return
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Twelve years after trading chess for politics, Garry Kasparov proved Monday that time hadn't dulled his edge as he battled to a draw three times with a fellow Russian half his age in the opening game of a keenly anticipated comeback.
The 54-year-old Kasparov, whose genius has left a wide mark on the history of chess, has briefly come out of retirement "kicking and fighting" to compete this week at the Rapid and Blitz tournament in St. Louis.
It remains to be seen whether he can beat a new generation of players or if he will instead pass the torch.
Garry Kasparov / Photo via ChessBase
Garry Kasparov / Photo via ChessBase
In a fitting turn of events, his first encounter against compatriot Sergey Karjakin had shades of Kasparov's own breakthrough moment in 1985 when, aged 22, he defeated the legendary Russian grandmaster Anatoli Karpov to become the youngest champion in history.
This time around, it was Kasparov who represented the old guard against Karjakin the young pretender, who narrowly lost last year's world championship to Magnus Carlsen, the top-ranked player who is not in St Louis this week.
Three games of speed chase between Kasparov and Karjakin ended in a draw each time. "I'm quite pleased. The plan was to survive to day one. I had to adjust myself to this new reality, to this atmosphere. I'm happy with these draws. I will be more aggressive tomorrow," Kasparov said.
(Head photo via ChessBase)
Source(s): AFP