

Day Two
By Brian Jerauld

The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis was bustling!
Outside, IM Malcolm Pein plays against the locals.

Young players come into the Chess Club all the time. Young Martin here tries to solve a puzzle.

The amazing studio where I had the pleasure of providing live commentary with GM Maurice Ashley
And just like that, Garry Kasparov has left the building. Though his appearance was brief, returning to the board for only two days and 10 games in his Battle of the Legends match against Nigel Short, while he was here Kasparov made certain to leave nothing on the table.
No missed opportunities. Not many of Short’s pieces. And certainly, no doubt.
Convincing enough on Saturday, emerging from the first day with a two-point lead, Kasparov reminded the world who he is on Sunday at the Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis. Though retired for a decade, the greatest chess player in history completely dismantled Short -- still active, as the world’s No. 60 player -- with a stunning 5-0 sweep of the afternoon. The brutal end of the lopsided 8.5-1.5 match, which featured him flagging for a loss on day one to raise concerns about rust collecting on the 13th World Champion of Chess, instead reminded everyone: Gold does not rust.

Is this the face of a rusty, retired, old man?
“I feel great, and I have to confess: I’m also surprised,” Kasparov said of his toppling victory. “I felt like it was time to play as I had played 20 or 30 years ago: Just have fun -- and attack, attack. So I did it in every game, and it worked.”
Indeed, at 52 years old on Sunday, Kasparov looked like the player of yesteryear, showcasing five games worth of devastating attacks that left the bout looking less like a mismatch, and more like he was simply running up the score. Ironically Sunday’s first game -- the day’s only to feature a longer Rapid time control -- was the only game to reach a fantastic race in time pressure, while the remaining four Blitz games featured lopsided crushes, each of them worse than the last.

Garry with his long time friend Michael Khodarkovsky

A brief postmortem
“I think I had chances in that first game -- and then things started to go from bad to worse,” Short said. “By the last game, I didn’t see anything at all. I didn’t see a single move.”
Sunday’s opening Rapid game was a nostalgic chess fan’s delight, as Kasparov with the black pieces defended in his trademark Najdorf Sicilian. His lash out with 13...h4...h5 helped to tear open white’s kingside protection, while his exchange sacrifice at 16...Rxc3 collapsed the center and ravaged white’s pawn structure.
Through a middlegame with variations plentiful and wild, Short held the material advantage extremely well, using the recapture at 21. cxd5 to repair his structure and temporarily hold black’s compensation attack at bay. The move left Kasparov stalled, head shaking in frustration as his clock fell below six minutes, and finally deciding on the innocuous 22...a5. Short responded with a quick 23. Rc1, further solidifying his position.
But Short gave up a nearly five minute clock advantage before deciding on 24. Qb3, and his 26. f4! triggered the blitz fireworks in a fantastically complex endgame.
Replay and check the LiveBook here |
Please, wait...
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.g3 e5 7.Nb3 Nbd7 8.a4 b6 9.Bg2 Bb7 10.0-0 Be7 11.Re1 Rc8 12.Nd2 h5!? 13.Nf1 h4 14.Ne3 g6 14...hxg3 15.hxg3 Rxc3 16.bxc3 Nxe4 17.Nd5 Bxd5 18.Qxd5 15.Re2?! 15.Ned5 Nxd5 16.Nxd5 Bxd5 17.Qxd5 17.exd5!? 17...Rxc2 18.Qd3 Qc8 19.Be3 15...hxg3 16.hxg3 Rxc3 17.bxc3 Nxe4 18.Bb2 18.Nd5 Bxd5 19.Qxd5 Nxc3 18...Ndf6 18...Qc8 19.Nd5! f5 20.Rxe4! 19.c4 Qc8?! 19...Qa8!? 20.Nd5! Nxd5 21.cxd5 Ng5?! 21...Nc3 22.Bxc3 Qxc3 22.c4! a5! 23.Rc1 Ba6 24.Qb3 24.Qd3! Qg4 25.f4! 24...Qg4 25.Rcc2 Bc8! 26.f4 Nh3+ 27.Kf1 f6 28.Qf3 Qf5 29.Re4?! 29.Bc1! 29...Kf7 30.Rce2 Qg4 31.fxe5?! 31.Bc1 31...Qxf3+ 32.Bxf3 dxe5 33.Rh4? 33.Rh2 Bf5 34.Kg2 Rh7 34...Kg7 35.Re3 35.Re2 33...Rxh4 34.gxh4 Nf4 35.Rd2 Bc5 36.d6 Bh3+ 37.Ke1 Bb4 38.Kd1 Bd7! 39.Rh2 Bxa4+ 40.Kc1 Bxd6 41.Kb1 f5 42.Bc1 e4? 43.Bh1? 43.Bxe4 fxe4 44.Bxf4 43...Nd3 44.Re2 Bd1 45.Rd2 Bb3 46.Rxd3 exd3 47.Bd5+ Kf6 48.Kb2 a4 49.Kc3 b5 50.Kxd3 Bxc4+ 51.Bxc4 bxc4+ 52.Kxc4 f4 53.Kd4 0–1
- Start an analysis engine:
- Try maximizing the board:
- Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
- Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
- Drag the split bars between window panes.
- Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
- Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
- Create an account to access the games cloud.
Short,N | 2664 | Kasparov,G | 2812 | 0–1 | 2015 | B91 | Legends Rapid Match 2015 | 2 |
Please, wait...
After collapsing in the rapid Rapid endgame, Short was rolled over in each of the four Blitz games.
“Unfortunately, chess is a sport, and you need energy -- and that’s what was completely lacking in my own game,” said Short, who won the Thailand Open last week but reported a suffering from jet lag in Saint Louis. “Actually, I felt my energy going down throughout this match. I just didn’t arrive in good physical condition.”
In Sunday’s second Blitz game, Short steered clear of more Kasparov Najdorf hijinx, the game turning into a Classic Sicilian. By 13...Qa5, Kasparov was on the attack again, shocking Short with a quickly played 15...e4 that sent white’s army into disarray.
Replay and check the LiveBook here |
Please, wait...
1.e4 c5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.Nge2 Nf6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 d6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 Be7 8.0-0-0 0-0 9.h4 a6 10.Kb1 h6 11.f4 Bd7 12.Bxf6 Bxf6 13.Nf3 Qa5! 14.e5? dxe5 15.Qxd7 e4! 16.Ne5 16.Nxe4 Rad8-+ 16.Nd2 Bxc3 17.Nc4 17.Nb3 Qb6 18.bxc3 Rad8-+ 17...Qb4 16...Bxe5! 16...Rad8 17.Qxb7 Bxe5 18.Rxd8 Nxd8 19.Qxe4 17.fxe5 Rad8 17...Rfd8?? 18.Qxb7 Rxd1+ 19.Nxd1 Qe1 20.Qxa8+ 18.Qxb7 Rxd1+ 19.Nxd1 Qe1 20.Be2! Qxh1 21.Qxc6 Rd8 22.b4? 22.a4 Rxd1+ 23.Bxd1 Qxd1+ 24.Ka2 Qd4! 24...Qd5+?? 25.Qxd5 exd5 26.Kb3+- 22.Kc1? Qe1 22...Qe1 23.Qxa6 23.Qxe4 Rxd1+-+ 23...Qxb4+ 24.Kc1 Qd2+ 25.Kb2 Rb8+ 26.Bb5 Qb4+ 27.Kc1 Rxb5 28.Nc3 Rxe5 29.Qc6 e3 0–1
- Start an analysis engine:
- Try maximizing the board:
- Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
- Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
- Drag the split bars between window panes.
- Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
- Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
- Create an account to access the games cloud.
Short,N | 2664 | Kasparov,G | 2812 | 0–1 | 2015 | B63 | Legends Blitz Match 2015 | 6 |
Please, wait...
Short was all-but looking for the exit by the match’s tenth and final game, body language indicating that he had seen better days. He desperately tried to slow the afternoon onslaught down into a positional battle, but Kasparov continued to pour it on. Black’s castling on the 14th move allowed white the central break with 15. e4, but Kasparov’s response of 15...c5 turned the game on a sharper blade and rocked Short back in his seat.
Under kingside duress already, Short sent his queen away hunting pawns with 24. Qxd5+, while Kasparov’s queen slipped in through the back door. The legend brought the match to a close with a menacing attack, ending the vicious afternoon with a fitting finish: Checkmate on the board.
Replay and check the LiveBook here |
Please, wait...
1.d4 Nf6 2.Nf3 g6 3.Bg5 Bg7 4.Nbd2 h6 5.Bh4 d6 6.c3 g5 7.Bg3 Nh5 8.e3 Nd7 9.Bd3 e6 10.0-0 Qe7 11.a4 f5 12.Ne1 Ndf6 13.f4 Nxg3 14.hxg3 0-0 15.e4 c5!? 16.dxc5 16.Qe2 16...d5! 17.exf5 Qxc5+ 18.Kh1 exf5 19.Nb3 Qe3! 20.Qf3 Qe8! 21.Nc2? 21.Kg1 Ng4 22.Qe2 Qh5 23.Nf3 21...Ng4 22.Kg1 Qh5 23.Rfe1 Bd7! 23...Qh2+ 24.Kf1 Qh1+? 25.Ke2 Qh5 26.Qxd5+∞ 24.Qxd5+ Kh8 25.Qxd7 Qh2+ 26.Kf1 Rad8 26...Qxg3 27.Qxb7 Qxg3 28.Re2 Rxd3 28...Qxf4+-+ 29.Nc5 Qxf4+ 30.Ke1 Qg3+ 31.Kf1 Qh4 32.g3 Rxg3 33.Ne6 Rg8 34.Nxg7 Nh2+ 35.Ke1 Nf3+ 36.Kf2 Rh3+ 37.Ke3 Qf4+ 38.Kd3 Ne5# 0–1
- Start an analysis engine:
- Try maximizing the board:
- Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
- Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
- Drag the split bars between window panes.
- Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
- Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
- Create an account to access the games cloud.
Short,N | 2664 | Kasparov,G | 2812 | 0–1 | 2015 | A48 | Legends Blitz Match 2015 | 8 |
Please, wait...
In fact, it was Kasparov who was shaking his head in disbelief as his clock fell below six minutes
“He’s the greatest player in chess history, in my opinion,” Short said.
After flagging for a loss on day one, leaving some to question if rust had taken over the retired 13th World Champion of Chess, Kasparov returned on Sunday and reminded everyone about a little thing called science: Gold does not rust.
In only his fourth serious match since retiring in 2005, Kasparov completely dismantled Short - the world’s 60th best active Grandmaster

Nigel Short was as true gentleman and graceful in defeat

"Fine, I'll accept your resignation..."

An autograph session to finish the day
Photos by Austin Fuller
Replay the Massacre

Replay and check the LiveBook here |
Please, wait...
- Start an analysis engine:
- Try maximizing the board:
- Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
- Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
- Drag the split bars between window panes.
- Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
- Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
- Create an account to access the games cloud.
Select from the dropdown menu to replay the games
Format: two rapid and eight blitz games. Time Control: Rapid - 25 minutes, plus a 10-second delay per move; Blitz - 5 minutes, with a 3-second delay. For example, if the delay is five seconds, the clock waits for five seconds before counting down. Schedule:
Date |
Time |
Event |
April 24 |
2:45 PM |
Opening Ceremony & Chess Tour 2015 Press Conference |
|
4:00 PM |
Simultaneous Exhibition by Garry & Nigel |
April 25 |
2:00 PM |
Rapid Round 1, Blitz Rounds 1-4 |
April 26 |
2:00 PM |
Rapid Round 2, Blitz Rounds 5-8 |
|
5:00 PM |
Autograph Session with Garry & Nigel |
All times are local to Saint Louis, MO, USA (CDT). The rapid games start at 2:00 p.m. = 21:00h CEST – here is the time in your location. Both match days for Battle of the Legends will be streamed live on U.S. Chess Champs, featuring world-class commentary from International Grandmasters Maurice Ashley and Alejandro Ramirez, as well as post-game interviews and analysis with Kasparov and Short.