Kasparov takes 2-0 lead over Karpov in epic rematch

Former chess world champions Garry Kasparov (L) and Anatoly Karpov shake hands at a news conference in Valencia, Spain. Kasparov and Karpov are dusting off their knights and pawns for an exhibition rematch marking the 25th anniversary of their first title bout - a grueling one that lasted five months and was eventually halted on grounds both were exhausted.

Garry Kasparov has beaten Anatoly Karpov in two games at the start of an exhibition match marking the 25th anniversary of their first title bout.

The two grandmasters resumed their historic rivalry in two so-called semi-rapid games, in which each player starts off with 25 minutes on the clock and has five seconds added after each move.

In both of Tuesday’s games, Karpov struggled to manage his time and the clock ran out on him.

The match is being played in Valencia in eastern Spain.

Kasparov had the black pieces in the first game and white in the second.

Ten more games remain: two more in this same format and eight blitz games, in which each player starts with five minutes on the clock, with two seconds added after each move.