Story thread · 2 reports / 1 sources

Chess Grandmaster Topalov Defeats Grandmaster Kasparov in Legends Tournament

bta.bg · 1dShare

The 2026 Clutch Chess: The Legends Chess960 tournament ended on Sunday after Grandmaster Veselin Topalov from Bulgaria defeated Russian Grandmaster Garry Kasparov with a total score of 16-8, chess.com reported. During the tournament hosted by St. Louis between September 11 and 13, Topalov staved off a counterthrust from Kasparov by winning both blitz games in the final day of the competition. Topalov's victory earned him USD 70,000 in prize money and an addition USD 20,000 bonus. His opponent left with USD 50,000 in prize money and a bonus of USD 4,000. Chess.com reported Topalov's opinion that pragmatic handling of the clock seemed to be the main reason for his win in the blitz matches. The Bulgarian added: "I try to be practical. I am not very good in time scrambles. Garry tries to find the best moves. It is just not practical."

First report: Grandmaster Topalov Defeats Grandmaster Kasparov in Chess Legends Tournament — bta.bg, 1d