11/6/2020 – After twenty years as the world’s highest-rated player, Garry Kasparov decided to quit chess and go into politics in March 2005. His last event was the now legendary Linares Tournament. Kasparov had a one-point lead over Veselin Topalov going into their direct encounter in the last round — Topalov won that game, but Kasparov nonetheless won the tournament, as he had a better tiebreak score (more wins with black). | Photos: Nadja Wittmann

3/11/2005 – Actually Kasparov seems to have beaten himself, having missed clear drawing chances; and although both he and Topalov now have eight out of twelve, Kasparov wins Linares on tiebreak. Another shock: Vishy Anand lost to Adams with the white pieces. We bring you an updated report and video clip.

3/9/2005 – Where did he come from? While everybody was watching Garry Kasparov's storm at the top in Linares, another player was steadily creeping up on him. Today Kasparov and Anand played a 22-move draw, but Veselin Topalov beat Vallejo to narrow the gap to a single point. If he beats Kasparov tomorrow he may even win the tournament. Illustrated report

3/8/2005 – Garry Kasparov continued his rampage, winning a very dangerous game with black against Michael Adams today to practically decide the winner of Linares 2005. His current performance is an incredible 2915. Topalov demolished Kasimdzhanov and Anand had a narrow escape against Vallejo. We bring you a full updated illustrated report.

3/6/2005 – Today Vishy Anand proved that he is not taking Kasparov's victory in Linares for granted. With a convincing black victory over FIDE world champion Rustam Kasimdzhanov the world's number two player came within striking distance. Tomorrow we travel to Linares, from Tuesday on we bring you live reports from Spain.

3/5/2005 – He has four wins in nine games, with a 2889 performance so far. Garry Kasparov is well on the way to yet another – his ninth – victory in Linares. Today he beat Francisco Vallejo to take a two-point, three-win lead over the rest of the field. Who can stop this relentless victory machine? Full report.

3/4/2005 – They were supposed to play a reunification world championship against each other. Today their mini-match in Linares ended in a 1½:½ for Kasparov, who defeated the FIDE world champion with black. Anand was under pressure from Topalov but held, Leko vs Adams was also drawn. Report and analysis.

3/3/2005 – Underdog Francisco Vallejo Pons today scored his first victory in the tournament, defeating reigning FIDE world champion Rustam Kasimdzhanov in convincing style. Garry Kasparov was unable to score a full point against the precision of Peter Leko, Adams drew against Topalov. Flash report.

3/2/2005 – In every round so far in Linares two games were drawn and one decided, today the pattern was broken and all games were drawn. There was mild pressure in Kasparov vs Topalov and Adams vs Anand, while Peter Leko played a 13-mover against Vallejo. We bring you a full report with some interesting factoids.

2/28/2005 – Garry Kasparov was put under heavy pressure by the world's number two Vishy Anand, who was very close to winning his first classical chess game against his nemesis since 1995. But Kasparov defended well and the game was drawn. Francisco Vallejo lost a tactical melee against Veselin Topalov. Full report.

2/28/2005 – Garry Kasparov outplayed Michael Adams, seemed to lose the thread and head for a draw a pawn up in a queen and rook ending. But the world's strongest player proved what that adage means, using grim determination to grind down his British opponent. We bring you games, results and pictures in our round five report.

2/26/2005 – British GM Michael Adams scored his first victory, against Vallejo, in Linares 2005. Veselin Topalov had a completely winning position after Peter Leko faltered in time trouble. But then Topalov made one false capture and allowed Leko to save the game with a deadly mate threat. Full illustrated report.

2/25/2005 – Garry Kasparov scored his first anxiously awaited win in round three of the Linares Super GM tournament, beating local boy Francisco Vallejo with the black pieces. Anand pressed briefly with black against Leko, Kasimdzhanov vs Adams was an uneventful draw. Full report.

2/24/2005 – Anand played his first game in round two and scored an endgame victory over Veselin Topalov. Garry Kasparov had excellent winning chances against Rustam Kasimdzhanov but blew it in the latter's time trouble. Full illustrated report.

2/23/2005 – The 22nd edition of the "Ciudad de Linares", a category 20 double round robin, beings in the Spanish city of Linares today. It includes Garry Kasparov, Vishy anand and Peter Leko. We bring you schedules, links to live coverage and, to get you into the mood, a review of the previous 21 events.

2/23/2005 – While Garry Kasparov pushed hard with black against Peter Leko, Michael Adams was doing the same against Veselin Topalov. But whereas the first game ended in a draw, Topalov turned tables in the second and defeated Adams resoundingly. We bring you games and results, and a full illustrated report.