The Hindu : Sport : Kasparov has made his final move

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Mar 12, 2005

Sport

Sport

Kasparov has made his final move

LINARES, MARCH 11. World No. 1 Garry Kasparov lost his final round game to Veselin Topalov but claimed the prestigious City of Linares chess title on second tie-break and announced his retirement.

Topalov, ranked third in the world, scored his third successive victory and tied with Kasparov at eight points.

Kasparov took the title with his higher number of victories with the black pieces, after both had five wins each.

Topalov's 30-move victory in Sicilian Rossolimo and Kasparov's decision to retire pushed into the background Viswanathan Anand's 52-move loss to Michael Adams.

Anand, who blundered a pawn before losing the Queen's Indian game in 52 moves, finished third.

The day's other match saw Peter Leko draw with Francisco Pons Vallejo in 67 moves and finish with an all-draw record.

But the big news of the day was Kasparov's decision to retire after remaining the World No. 1 for two decades.

`No real goal'

When asked for the reasons behind his decision, Kasparov said, "It is very difficult to quote one reason. But if I try I could tell you that, as you know, I am a man of big goals.

"I have to achieve something. I have to prove something. I have to be determined.

"I no longer see any real goal in the world of chess. I did not want to leave in bad shape, as I was six months ago. I wanted to show some decent chess. I wanted to prove myself first of all that I play better than the others. I did.

"What happened today had very little to do with my opponent. I simply collapsed under the pressure of playing my last game."

The results (14th round):

Topalov bt Kasparov; Anand lost to Adams; Leko drew with Vallejo; Free day: Kasimdzhanov.

Final standings:

1-2 Garry Kasparov (Rus) and Veselin Topalov (Bul) 8 points; 3. Viswanathan Anand 6.5; 4. Peter Leko (Hun) 6; 5. Michael Adams (Eng) 5.5; 6-7 Francisco Pons Vallejo (Esp) and Rustam Kasimdzhanov (Uzb) 4.

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