London, November-December, 1983.
The venue was the same as the match Kasparov-Korchnoi and the prize fund was an appreciable SFR. 50,000. In this match the first two games were already decisive. In the first game Ribli was clearly better but his desire to win was not appropriate for the position. After refusing a proposal of draw he committed two mistakes, which put him in terrible pressure. This end-game experience of Smyslov made the difference. Smyslov couldn’t keep his advantage on the score too long. Ribli try hard to destabilize the former World Champion and as often in this case he committed suicide like in game seven when he was more preoccupied with unclear play than to protect his own King. For the rest of the match, Smyslov took care not to give any chance to his opponent. Playing passively but solidly he drew all games without any difficulties.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | Total | ||
| Smyslov V | 1 | 0 | = | = | 1 | = | 1 | = | = | = | = | 6.5 | |
| Ribli Z | 0 | 1 | = | = | 0 | = | 0 | = | = | = | = | 4.5 |
So Smyslov wins the match 6½-4½. It was a triumph for balance, economy and means of harmony.
At the press conference on 18th December, Smyslov repeated his belief that spiritual equanimity is the key to his eternally youthful chess.
After what he called “a disappointing start” to the match, he regained his poise and was unstoppable after the fifth game.
Ribli catalogued a sorry list of woes. He was out of form; he didn’t take his chances; he got into too many time-trouble scrambles; and he simply made too many mistakes.
On top of all that, many observers felt Ribli was far too nervous. He seemed to be far too affected by the inevitable swings of fortune in matches of this sort. He denied this in but he hardly exuded Smyslov’s “harmony”.
Smyslov, the 62 year-old ex-world champion, deserved his victory. He played some fine chess in this match and was an inspiration.
Age doesn’t seem to matter a dot to a man like Vassily Smyslov. He simply gives one of his wonderfully wry smiles and gets to work.
Candidates’ Final match
Vilnius, March-April, 1984.
Forty three- years was the difference of age between the two players qualified to play the Candidates’ final.
Game 1
Slav Grunfeld
Kasparov started with white pieces and a good opening from which he could not manage to concretize his small advantage. Kasparov was also better in the second game missing maybe 28…Nh5 to keep the tension and the advantage. Smyslov surprised by playing an old variation of the QG which gave him a very weak middle game. After a curious decentralization of his Knight, Smyslov had no other way to give up an exchange and let Kasparov to score his first point.
Game 2
Tarrash Defense
Everything was theory. Smyslov deviated with 12 Rh1, some surprise which cost 40 minutes to Kasparov. Finally it was Black who sized the initiative but after some imprecise moves Kasparov decided to liquidate he position to a draw.
Game 3
Game 4
Game 5
The game went then down to a rook ending where White had the upper hand thanks to an extra point. But Black managed to occupy the 7th rank with one of his Rook and with a pawn already on the 6th the danger was imminent. It was enough to force White to repeat the moves.
Game 6
Queen’s Gambit Declined
Kasparov followed some old idea developed by …Capablanca. After many exchange it was clear that a flat draw will be reached.
Game 7
Queen’s Gambit Declined
A quick draw offered by Kasparov after only 13 moves. Just a gift to celebrate Smyslov’s birthday celebrated on March 24.
Game 8
Tarrash Defense
The played discussed again the variation developed in the second game. Smyslov’ s 14th dubious move 14.f3 gave a clear upper game to Black. However in the critical position Black missed the right move with 23…a6 followed with b5. Finally draw was concluded. No doubt White escaped from defeat.
After four draws where none of the players could claim for a decisive advantage
Game 9
Queen’s Gambit Declined
Kasparov secured his lead by winning the 9th game. This game was another QG where Smyslov introduced a new idea on move 9 which after the strong reply played by Kasparov gave only the chances for White to keep the initiative.
Game 10
Tarrash Defense
White has achieved a classical build up with good tension. In time pressure White was forced to accelerate the matter. After some exchanges they were a pawn up but Black’s Rooks very active gave him enough compensation to secure an draw.
Game 11
Chigorin Defense
The chose of such old defense by Smyslov for his 11th game surprised many and Kasparov too. Kasparov improved the old theory with a sacrifice of a pawn to gain strong center and open the game for his Bishops. With some good and solid moves Smyslov managed to hold a cleaver defense and finally draw in 26 moves.
Game 12
Tarrash Defense
For the 12th game, both players repeated the Tarrasch opening played already twice early in this match. Playing too slowly Smyslov couldn’t avoid the zeitnot and with this the mistakes. The 24th move Nxd5 instead of Rg1 and 27 Qg4? left him with no chance and no point. Kasparov became the youngest challenger for the World Championship final
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | Total | |
| Kasparov G | = | = | 1 | 1 | = | = | = | = | 1 | = | = | 1 | = | 8.5 |
| Smyslov V | = | = | 0 | 0 | = | = | = | = | 0 | = | = | 0 | = | 4.5 |
During the after match press conference Kasparov was asked some questions about his play and opponent:
Q: The difficult match ended. How do you appreciate Smyslov’s play in it and yours?
A: It is easier to speak about myself. I consider the candidates final to be my highest sportive and creative achievement. I am very pleased that I managed to fulfill the task I set up before the game- not to lose one game. This aim was not occasional, as the next match- the most important- will be played only to six victories and six losses. It was not easy to win the ex-champion. I took upon myself the liberty to say (I dare to say) that Smyslov had acted not worse than with Ribli and Huebner. Especially strong he was at the beginning of the match. In the second half I managed to get an advantage in “kinetic energy and technique”. Kinetic energy is youth strength; I would call advantage in the opening preparation to be an advantage in technique.
I played technical positions and Smyslov committed few mistakes. After his second defeat I noticed that Smyslov lost his fight spirit and then I was sure that the final victory would be mine. I considered the ninth and tenth game as my best performance.
Q: What tournaments do you suppose to play before the championship match?
A:I think that tournaments are absolutely useless in the preparation for the forthcoming “unlimited” meeting… I will play only in the match USSR versus The Rest of World, if it takes place. It is my compulsory program.
Q: Which players’ games did you study on?
A: On Alekhine’s ones. I still like his universal approach to chess. I improved myself on the base of his creativity, using advice of M.M. Botvinnik’s whose school I studied in.
Q: Can we speak about nowadays influence of Botvinnik?
A: Now as well I consult with him, but advice do not play such role as 5-6 years ago for the formed (developed) chess player.
Q: How do you think if Fischer will come back to chess?
A: They say he began analyzing games. But absence of practice should tell on his strengths. I think that his constant wish to play only for win removes him from the play. Perhaps, he would hardly return to chess – that’s a pity I am sure that his matches with Karpov would be an event of 70-s.
Q: How do you consider the idea of the re-match?
A: Being a champion is a whole epoch in chess world, he can lose occasionally because of illness for example. I think that re-match is necessary but the challenger having won becomes the epoch himself as well. There will be complete (all-round) re-matches. May be there is a sense in holding of re-matches always but when the score is 5-6.
Q: How do you appreciate your chances?
A: I do not want to look self-confident, but I do not think they are worse. We met twice and twice played in a draw. And in the forthcoming match we’ll play nearly 28 games.
Q: Are there weak sides in Karpov’s play?
A: Let me postpone with the answer. If I play successfully I will tell you about his weak sides. If I don’t I will explain the reasons I might lose.
The Final
Novosti agency correspondent Alexei Srebnitsky introduced the match and the players in CLR:
On the eve of the match for the world title, I asked world champion Anatoly Karpov and challenger Gary Kasparov what they considered their partner’s strong and weak points. Karpov answered rather abruptly. “I bear in mind my opponent’s strong and weak points while preparing for the match and see no point in mentioning them beforehand.”
Kasparov was a little more forthcoming. “All world champions largely influence the progress of chess. Karpov raised to unusually high level the professionalism that Bobby Fischer introduced in chess. Since Karpov has been world champion, the technique of defense and endgames has own considerably. Karpov is the real chess king and an excellent example to all. He’s e No. 1 grandmaster at the present time. I don’t want to boast, but I’m equal or even a it superior to the world champion in positions that call for ingenuity.”
Asked what they thought their chances were in the coming match and what they ought the outcome would be, Karpov answered first.
“Let observers make forecasts. For chess players it is important to be in shape for and do his best in such a match.”
Kasparov said, “In recent years both Karpov and I have not lost more than two or three games a year. So it’s hard to imagine how one can beat the world champion six times within eight weeks or so. (We’ll play till one of us has six wins.) For me it’s also unusual to suffer six defeats over a short time. In a word, our chances seem about equal to me.”
Asked if the coming match would be compared to their previous meets, including the ones for the world title, Karpov said, “Each new contest probably differs from previous ones. But in order to compare, one should wait till it starts and finishes.”
Kasparov said, “This is my debut in a match for the world crown. I’ve got far less experience than Karpov. In the current con tender’s matches I faced Beliavsky in the quarterfinal, Korchnoi in the semi-final, and Smyslov in the final. And that’s all. I’ll be able to compare the coming match with previous ones only when it takes place. But the sports writers noted one important detail: Never before have matches for the world title been played between two such young grandmasters”
What the participants and the arbiter said shortly before the match:
Anatoly Karpov: “I have been preparing thoroughly for the match against Gary Kasparov. I have had the same assistants as during the successful matches in Baguio and Merano
— GMs Igor Zaitsev and Yuri Balashov. I have changed the manner of my play in recent years. This often happens to chess players. One gains experience, acquires new knowledge, widens the theoretical base. Though, certainly, the basis established at the time of one’s youth is preserved.
In order to win one must do much work in the preparation period, must be constantly inventing new things. A chess player who no longer invents new methods of struggle, who has no plans, designs or ideas, inevitably starts losing. And a champion has a vast responsibility to chess devotees. He cannot rest content on what has been achieved….
It is pleasant that there is an unprecedented interest in our match. We shall be playing in excellent conditions and we have no right to play badly. I hope we shall be able to show elegant chess.
Gary Kasparov: “This is my first world championship and, naturally, I am very nervous. But I like chess and I believe that when the match starts I will overcome my nervous ness and will be able to engage in creative play in a customary mode.
I won’t deny that I was pleased to get compliments from journalists who have said that both of us are far ahead of the other grandmasters. One must live up to such compliments. Certainly, I do not think about losing. It is unwise when ascending a summit to look down with apprehension. The match itself will show who will win.
The struggle in the coming match will be many-sided and it is hard to predict which aspect will turn out to be the most important — psychological stability, physical stamina or theoretical training. I have too little experience yet in competing at the summit level to predict anything. ball matches at least once a week.
I know that Soviet chess devotees are exacting spectators and I believe that by their exemplary attitude to chess they will stimulate the creative efforts of the players.”
And TASS continued with Garry: “The forthcoming match with Anatoly Karpov will be the most difficult and crucial test of my career” said Baku GM Gary Kasparov. He said his preparations for the match have, on the whole, proceeded normally. “But the time left for them has been quite short. The Candidates’ Final with Vasily Smyslov ended as late as April, and I had to take a rest after it: the Candidates’ matches had been strenuous. As usual, I have been helped with my preparations by a group of trainers, including IM Alexander Nikitin (Moscow), GM Gennady Timoschenko (Novosibirsk), IM Yevgeny VladimiroV (Alma Ata) and Alexander Shakarov (Baku). At first we gathered in the Baku suburb of Zagulba, which in recent years has been our traditional training base, and then moved over to Sheki, a small scenic town in the foothills of the Greater Caucasian Range. I have paid much attention to physical training. Only this time I have replaced football and cycling with badminton, a game I have tried to play for the first time and which, incidentally, I am very content with. And, of course, I have run cross-country races.
“I have also found time to take part, along with Karpov, in the USSR’s second- ever chess match with the Rest of the World in London, where I was at the second board.”
Up to now, Kasparov has played four games with Karpov. The first time was in 1975 during the Komsomolskaya Pravda cup tournament “Pioneers against
Grandmasters” when the world champion played against the clock simultaneously with seven Baku school children, including Kasparov, who lost that game. After Kasparov became a grandmaster, he met Karpov at the board three times, twice in a tournament of four Soviet select teams and the other time in the Moscow international tournament 1981. All three games were drawn.”
Anatoly Karpov admitted few days before the start of the championship: (September 6) “Speaking on the Soviet national television, Anatoly Karpov, thrice world chess champion, said that he had started preparing for the world chess title match on the very day when the finalists were named for the final match of challengers for the world chess title. Karpov meant Smyslov and Kasparov. As Karpov himself said, his participation in international tournaments, in which he put up a good performance this year, served him as practical preparation for the match. Karpov recalled that he had won the international tournaments in Oslo and London. Apart from that, he led the USSR national team which won the match versus the combined team of the Rest of the World with an advantage of two points. Karpov described this victory as “a history-making success”. Karpov admitted that he needed different methods and different opening material in preparation for the match against Kasparov. Almost a half of the experience gained by the champion in the past ten years would not do this time.”
Kasparov displayed his gift very early, becoming a grandmaster at 17. He was born into a family of electronic engineers in Baku, capital of Soviet Azerbaijan in trans-Caucasian, and he lives there still. A person with many interests, Kasparov proved to be a talented musician as well when he was a child. But he chose chess over the violin.
Like Karpov, Kasparov graduated from school with honours. At present he is in his fourth year at the English-language department of the Azerbaijani Teachers’ Institute. Built like an athlete, Kasparov loves many sports, particularly swimming; jogging, soccer, and cycling. He is making steady progress and is becoming more popular all the time as a chessplayer.
Many experts believe the coming match will be the most interesting ever. One thing is certain; Kasparov and Karpov are really the strongest chess players of our time.
There is no doubt that this match will stay for long in the memory. Not only because of the quality of the games or being the longest match so far in the World Chess Championship history but by its dramatic finish. To keep a good sense of objectivity this article was build with Chief Arbiter material report, FIDE press release and journalist reports.
The opening ceremony in Moscow on September 9, 1984 was presided by the Chairman of the Organizing Committee, the minister of culture USSR N. Demichev who held the opening speech, followed by speeches of the FlDE President Florencio Campomanes, of the president of USSR Chess Federation, Vitaly Sevastianov, and of the Chief Arbiter Svetozar Gligoric, who, in conclusion, arranged the drawing of lots in a usual manner.
The envelopes, used in Candidates Matches in London, were substituted now by fancy Russian wooden dolls hiding in its inside small papers with simple inscriptions “yes” or “no”. The champion having by rules the right to draw first, chose the doll, which, when opened, contained the word “yes”. Repeatedly, he gained the right to draw first once more, and the next doll, giving again the positive answer, gave to Anatoly Karpov the possibility to choose the colour :+‘ pieces and he decided that he would have White, and the challenger, Garry Kasparov, Black pieces in the first game of the world championship match 1984.
The great occasion was crowned by a very fine artistic program offered by the State Academic Group of Folk Dance which lasted about an hour.
The House of Trade Unions in the very centre of capital city and its most prestigious Hall of Columns was to be the venue for the 30th World Chess Championship, and it meant the highest public recognition to the match Karpov-Kasparov. The earlier called Big Hall with 28 snow-white pillars of the Corinthian order, the mosaic parquet and the diamond rainbow of sparkling crystal chandeliers has witnessed many big events of more distant and recent past.
Many unforgettable chess events took also place in the Hall of Columns – the match Flohr-Botvinnik in 1933, big international tournament in 1936, the match-tournament for the world championship, won by Botvinnik in 1946. The winner will be the first player with 6 wins without time limit!