Kasparov Keeps Chess Crown With a Draw

Garry Kasparov retained his world chess title Tuesday with a draw in the 19th game against British challenger Nigel Short.

The Azerbaijan-born champion led Short by 12 points to 7 after the game in the 24-match series, in which the titleholder needs to capture only 12 points to retain the crown.

Kasparov still needs--and appears assured of getting--another draw to secure the winner’s five-eighths share of the $2.6-million purse provided by the Times of London newspaper.

Tuesday’s drawn game played in London’s Savoy Theater means Kasparov has a total of six wins, one defeat and 12 draws.

The 19th game ended abruptly when the champion offered a draw despite being a pawn ahead. Running short of time and with the position growing complicated, the champion wished to avoid all risk.

Short, 28, was not convinced his endgame attack was worth the sacrificed material and accepted the offer.

“Even if I would have won today, my chances of winning the match were not that great. I don’t remember any occasion where Garry has lost six games in a row,” the Briton told a post-match news conference.

“The position at the end was a mess.”

Kasparov, looking exhausted after the game, said he was “quite pleased” at retaining his title.

He said he had settled for a draw Tuesday, to the astonishment of some experts, because he was not sure of the outcome of the position.

“I think it was a very practical decision. . . . I didn’t want to use a lot of time in a position where anything can happen,” he said.