SAINT LOUIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct 10, 2025--
In a thrilling display of precision, creativity and composure, legendary World Champion Grandmaster (GM) Garry Kasparov was crowned champion of the first Clutch Chess: The Legends, defeating longtime rival and fellow World Champion GM Viswanathan Anand in a three-day showdown that captivated fans around the world.
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“It was a very tough fight,” said Kasparov. “I’m not a professional player anymore, so I had realistic expectations, but I was surprised to find myself in this position. It’s phenomenal to be here in Saint Louis. Seeing this incredible chess facility reminds me of the care and vision Rex and Jeanne Sinquefield put into building this chess temple. That’s why I come here to play chess every year.”
Kasparov’s incredible form was on full display throughout the event. After taking a slight lead to start, the former World Champion seized momentum on Day 2, capitalizing on Anand’s time trouble and tactical errors to surge ahead 8.5–3.5. Anand fought fiercely throughout and closed the event by winning the final two blitz games, securing the largest prize-money games of the tournament. Kasparov’s defensive brilliance in the early blitz rounds and commanding victories in clutch games showcased the timeless artistry that defined his career. Kasparov earned $78,000 for his victory, while Anand claimed $66,000 for his outstanding finish.
“It’s fitting that such an iconic match would open this next chapter for the Saint Louis Chess Club,” said Rex Sinquefield, co-founder of the Saint Louis Chess Club. “This new facility reflects our commitment to creating the premier home for chess—not just in the United States, but around the world. And we’re only getting started. The incredible lineup of events this month will showcase the passion and excellence that make Saint Louis the true capital of chess.”
The exhibition match marked the grand reopening of the newly expanded, 30,000-square-foot Saint Louis Chess Club—a stunning, state-of-the-art hub for players and fans alike. Featuring a $144,000 prize fund, the spirited 12-game Chess960 (Fischer Random) match combined rapid and blitz time controls with an innovative scoring system designed to captivate both players and fans.
“I’m incredibly pleased with the way things went,” said GM Maurice Ashley, creative officer of the Saint Louis Chess Club. “To have two great legends who embody the spirit of fighting chess play a match using my idea at the iconic Saint Louis Chess Club is a dream come true.”
Fans around the world tuned in for live coverage featuring expert commentary from Grandmasters Yasser Seirawan and Maurice Ashley, alongside sports broadcaster James “Dash” Patterson, whose insights brought fresh depth and energy to every decisive moment. Viewers can relive the action and follow the month’s continuing events on the Saint Louis Chess Club’s YouTube channel.
The celebration continues throughout the month with Hall of Fame inductions, the U.S. and U.S. Women’s Championships, and Clutch Chess: Champions Showdown —each event showcasing the energy and excellence that define Saint Louis as the ultimate home of chess.
2025 U.S. & U.S. Women’s Championships | October 12–25
The most prestigious chess events in the country return to crown the nation’s top players. Held in the upgraded tournament hall, the U.S. Championship and U.S.Women’sChampionship will showcase elite talent, fierce rivalries and the rising stars of American chess. Each field will feature 12 players facing off over the board October 12-25 as they compete for a total purse of more than $400,000.
During the opening ceremonies, National Master Bruce Pandolfini and Grandmaster Irina Krush will be inducted into the U.S. Hall of Fame, and Grandmasters Pia Cramling, Vlastimil Hort and Jan Timman will be inducted into the World Chess Hall of Fame.
Clutch Chess: Champions Showdown | October 25–30
The month culminates with the Clutch Chess: Champions Showdown, which will feature World No. 1 Magnus Carlsen, World No. 2 Hikaru Nakamura, World No. 3 Fabiano Caruana and World Champion Gukesh Dommaraju in what will be the highest-rated chess tournament of the year.
With $412,000 in prize money, including daily win bonuses and a Champion’s Jackpot, the stakes have never been higher. The event’s 18-game rapid double round-robin format (10 minutes plus a 5-second increment) will feature escalating point values each day: Wins are worth 1 point on Day 1, 2 points on Day 2 and 3 points on Day 3–a comeback-friendly format that cultivates increased tension and fan excitement into the very last round.
Make plans to experience elite chess in Saint Louis, learn more at saintlouischessclub.org.
About the Saint Louis Chess Club
The Saint Louis Chess Club is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that is committed to making chess an important part of our community. In addition to providing a forum for the community to play tournaments and casual games, the club also offers chess improvement classes, beginner lessons and special lectures.
Recognizing the cognitive and behavioral benefits of chess, the Saint Louis Chess Club is committed to supporting those chess programs that already exist in area schools while encouraging the development of new in-school and after-school programs. For more information, visit www.saintlouischessclub.org.
Grandmasters Garry Kasparov and Viswanathan Anand face off during Clutch Chess: The Legends, with Kasparov ultimately claiming the tournament victory at the newly reopened Saint Louis Chess Club.
Grandmasters (GM) Garry Kasparov and Viswanathan Anand join Rex and Jeanne Sinquefield and GM Maurice Ashley for the ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the grand reopening of the newly expanded Saint Louis Chess Club.
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Drake Maye made his first NFL start against the Houston Texans. The New England Patriots' second-year quarterback has come a long way in the 15 months since.
“That feels like, shoot, 10 years ago. It’s been a long journey,” Maye said. “Running out there with the first-snap jitters was pretty cool. It was fun to look back on. We’ll hopefully have a different outcome from (that) game.”
Maye and C.J. Stroud each threw three touchdown passes that day, but Maye also was intercepted twice and sacked four times in the Texans' 41-21 win.
Houston (13-5) and New England (15-3) meet again Sunday, this time with a trip to the AFC championship game at stake.
The Patriots are seeking their first appearance in the title game since the 2018 season, when they went on to win a sixth Super Bowl. The Texans have never made it that far, having lost in the divisional round in each of the past two seasons under third-year coach DeMeco Ryans.
“We’ve been in this position before. I think we’ve learned from those things. Now it’s time to go put it on tape,” Stroud said.
Both teams have exceeded expectations. The Patriots went from worst to first in the AFC East, while the Texans recovered from an 0-3 start and are riding a 10-game winning streak.
It's a matchup of strength against strength. The Patriots averaged an AFC-best 28.8 points per game, and the Texans have the NFL's top-ranked defense.
“I respect how hard they play,” New England coach Mike Vrabel said. “They’re not only talented, but they have a play demeanor that I can appreciate.”
Ryans believes much of the Patriots’ offensive success can be traced to Maye's growth under offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels. He's impressed with how much freedom Maye — the league’s most accurate passer — has been given to run.
“I think he is doing a really good job of not making bad decisions with the football,” Ryans said. “Where he’s taking that next step is his ability to escape the pocket. I think it really doesn’t get talked about much, but his athletic ability, his ability to escape the pocket has been really clutch for them.”
The Texans' top receiver, Pro Bowler Nico Collins, will miss the game after sustaining his second concussion of the season in Monday night's wild-card win at Pittsburgh. Receiver Justin Watson (concussion) was also ruled out on Friday.
Christian Kirk had a big game against the Steelers and the Texans are hoping for a repeat performance. The eight-year veteran set a career high and franchise playoff record with 144 yards receiving.
Kirk had just 239 yards receiving in the regular season.
Houston will also look for rookies Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel to pitch in after the college teammates from Iowa State combined for 817 yards receiving and eight touchdowns in the regular season.
The Texans will also try to get tight end Dalton Schultz more involved after he had just 12 yards receiving on Monday night.
“I’m the most confident in everybody in there to get the job done,” Stroud said.
Stroud fumbled just twice in his 14 regular-season games but coughed up the ball five times against the Steelers, two of them leading to turnovers. He also threw an interception.
Stroud hopes to take better care of the ball, but he said mistakes happen against strong opponents in the playoffs and the key is not letting those miscues affect the next play.
“I watched almost all the wild-card games since we played the last game,” Stroud said. “Everybody made mistakes. Everybody had that moment where it was like, ‘Dang, we’re messing this up.’ Then the teams who find a way to fight through that and keep going were the teams that came out on top.”
Stroud also threw for 250 yards and a touchdown as he became the fourth quarterback in NFL history to start and win a playoff game in each of his first three seasons.
One thing Patriots rookie left tackle Will Campbell has learned this season is how to ignore naysayers.
Campbell was criticized on social media after yielding a team-high six pressures and two sacks — including a strip-sack — in the Patriots’ wild-card win over the Chargers. Now he'll face a stiffer challenge against Houston's fearsome defensive ends, All-Pro Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter.
“I don’t give a (expletive) what anyone says to be honest with you,” Campbell said. “It’s easy to type behind a Twitter account that is fake. I hold myself to the highest expectation of anybody. ... These are the best teams with the best defenses and the best offenses, the best players. They’re in the playoffs for a reason.”
Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs welcomes the chance to shine against the Texans, for whom he played one injury-shortened season.
Diggs was traded by Buffalo to Houston following the 2023 season. He played eight games for the Texans in 2024 before suffering a season-ending knee injury. He then signed with New England and led the team with 85 catches and 1,013 receiving yards.
“He’s very explosive after he catches the football,” Ryans said. “Another guy we’ve got to make sure we have eyes on.”
AP Sports Wrier Kristie Rieken in Houston contributed to this report.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel on the sidelines in the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Los Angeles Chargers, in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans, left, stands on the sideline during the first half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Houston Texans, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Justin Berl)
Houston Texans defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins (90) celebrates with cornerback Tremon Smith (11), defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) and linebacker E.J. Speed (45) after a touchdown during the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Monday, Jan. 12, 2026, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Justin Berl)
New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, left, avoids a tackle by Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Khalil Mack (52) in the second half of an NFL wild-card playoff football game in Foxborough, Mass., Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
