ST LOUIS, Aug 16: Chess legend Garry Kasparov suffered the first loss of his brief but highly anticipated comeback to the game, succumbing to fellow Russian Ian Nepomniachtchi and bringing his draw total to five.
After three draws on Monday, the 54-year-old former world champion � who dominated the game from 1985 to 2000 � had hoped to play �more aggressive� chess on day two of the Rapid and Blitz tournament in St Louis.
But after drawing his first game yesterday with Armenian world number four Levon Aronian, a contest that featured some gutsy moves from Kasparov and a few trademark death stares, he could not hold on against Nepomniachtchi.
At the day�s close Kasparov drew once more after going up against Viswanathan Anand of India, another �former� competitor and the only one present to have played against Kasparov when he ran the global chessboard.
�I haven�t played serious chess in 12 years and haven�t missed as many opportunities as I did today in 15! Hoping to steady the ship tomorrow!� tweeted Kasparov at the end of the day.
�I was too democratic today. I made quite a few good moves, but spread them evenly among all three games instead of concentrating them!�
After his loss Kasparov�s fans, all hoping to see the brilliance that characterised his long career, said they were disappointed but still hopeful.
�It had to happen. But he is doing pretty well for a comeback against these new players,� said one fan, 42-year-old American Tracy Stewart. �He hasn�t been offensive enough.� � AFP
