MOSCOW: Former world chess champion Garry Kasparov is coming out of retirement to play in a US tournament next month, organisers announced on Thursday.

Kasparov, who dominated chess for more than 15 years, will compete against nine top players at the Sinquefield Cup in St Louis, Missouri, which takes place on August 14-19.

The former champion, who retired from professional chess in 2005, was given a wild card entry for the event’s Rapid and Blitz competition.

Current world No. 1 Magnus Carlsen of Norway will also play at the tournament, as will Hikaru Nakamura, ranked second in the world.

“Ready to see if I remember how to move the pieces! Will I be able to announce my re-retirement afterwards if not?!,” Kasparov tweeted sardonically.

At 54, Kasparov is the oldest player in the field, followed by another legend, India’s Viswanathan Anand, 47, now ranked 12th in the world.

“Looks like I’m going to raise the average age of the field and lower the average rating!” Kasparov quipped.

While he won’t be facing Carlsen, Kasparov may go against number two Hikaru Nakamura or the up-and-coming 26-year-old Russian Sergey Karyakin.

Published in Dawn, July 7th, 2017