The Week in Chess has reported that Kasparov and Karpov will play a 12 game match in Valencia, Spain in September 2009, on the 25th anniversary of their 1984/1985 match:

Kasparov vs. Karpov Match in September

This should be very exciting, considering Kasparov has been away from the game since 2005...

I thought Kasparov retired
What does this mean, that he's returned back from retirement?

Anyways, this would be a thrilling match. I've missed Kasparov since he retired in 2005.

Is this just going to be an invitational tournament specifically for him, or is it because he's returned back?

Yes, Kasparov did retire, but that doesn't mean he's forbidden to play chess.

I would take this match for what it is -- an event for Kasparov and Karpov to celebrate an important anniversary... it's doubtful that Kasparov will return full-time to the professional chess.

No, Kasparov is not coming back. It's just a rapid (4 games) and blitz (8 games) match. It will be just for fun, although I'm sure both will take it seriously and will be eager to win

It won't be the first time they will play blitz since Kasparov's retirement in March 2005. Karpov and Kasparov already met in Zuerich 2006. Kasparov also played some simultaneous exhibitions since his retirement and he also plays blitz online - anonymuosly


By the way, here is the picture from their first game in 1975


and this is the picture from their last (31 years later).



As you see, except from grey hairs and few wrinkles nothing has changed. The determination is the same. I don't think we will see a different face expressions on them this September