Garry Kimovich Kasparov (born April 13, 1963) is the 13th World classical chess champion from Azerbaijan who ruled the sport from 1984 until his retirement in 2005 as world #1 for a record 255 months overall.
A political activist, writer and commentator, Garry has, here and there, emerged from his retirement to take part in selected prestigious tournaments competing against the world’s best.
These events are however limited to Rapid and Blitz games instead of the usual long drawn out matches of the standard times (90 minutes or two hours).
In the recently-concluded on-the-board Fischer Random Chess tilt dubbed: Champions’ Showdown Chess960, Garry battled the opposition with his usual creative flair, led the 10-man, 9-round robin tourney for a while and almost snatched the crown but for a decisive slip in the final round.
As a chess enthusiast, I am personally attracted to the non-traditional opening set-ups of the Fischer Random chess because it provokes a player to utilize every creative muscle in his body and mental arsenal to launch and mount offensives and counter-offensives that lead to victory.
Unlike the classical game where elite players can memorize moves from 1 to 20 or more depending on what opening style White uses, Random chess – invented by the late American FIDE world champion Bobby Fischer – instantly challenges your creative prowess the moment the opening set-up is revealed.
Unfortunately, the current world classical titleholder Magnus Carlsen was participating in the Norway Open (on-the-board/OTB) Chess at the same time that Kasparov was making waves at St. Louis, MIssouri, following the conclusion of the Grand Chess Tour organized by Kasparov himself.
(It might be worth mentioning that Fil-Am super GM Wesley So trounced Carlsen in the first Fischer Random Chess worldChampionships two years ago.)
At any rate, as I curiously followed live the games of Kasparov, I noticed that – unless there is a chance for repetition of moves that would force a draw – most matches in Random chess were like the legendary battles that are a matter of life or death.
Squeezing a win in a tightly-contested rapid play (15 minutes) requires more than just mental toughness and physical will.
Kasparov had two chances to win the title but pressed for time against American GM Hikaru Nakamura, he settled for a draw ( repetition) because he could not find the correct winning move in the end game.
Had Kasparov clinched that particular match, he would have taken the lead with just a 9th round meeting versus France Maxime Vachier LaGrave’ where he could settle for a draw and at least tie for first.
Alas, and woe to Garry, he lost miserably to a guy who was chasing to win the tournament himself. MVL did not want to settle for half the point.
Garry is 59 years old and he was fighting the young elite super GMs who had for themselves the convenience of educating themselves with computerized variations.
During his heyday, Kasparov relied on available hard copies and published chess books to increase his knowledge and elevate his game to become a super GM himself, sporting a 2815 ELO.
American Leinier Dominguez, formerly of Cuba, took home the winner’s trophy, with Wesley So, Sam Shankland and MVL tied for second and Kasparov placing fifth. (Email your feedback to fredlumba@yahoo.com.) GOD THE BLESS THE PHILIPPINES!
