In the first game Karpov decided to test the preparation of his young opponent (21 years old) by lunching the Keres attack of the Sicilian defence. Kasparov did a good job and showed his novelty on move 15 and without problem drew the game in 36 moves.
Game 2
Game 2
Queen’s Indian Defense
Kasparov tried the pawn sacrifice usually played by the GM Polugaevsky. Karpov defended well finding an interesting 26…Qb6 which giving him few moves later a clear if not decisive advantage. However on move 40 when Kasparov went in hopeless position to scarify his rook on g6. Karpov misses the win 40…Nf6! White then managed to escape with a perpetual check.
Kasparov: ‘A position arose where I would normally win but as Keen put it I had a black out’
Game 3
Game 3
Sicilian Defense
Karpov chose a for a more quite variation against Kasparov Sicilian, he choose the Scheveningen. On move 12 Kasparov decided to innovate with Na5 giving a full pawn that Karpov didn’t hesitate to take. Karpov managed well to keep his pieces coordinated to retain the pressure and push Kasparov into a desperate position after which he eventually resigned on move 31.
Kasparov:“Karpov exploited the errors with a surgical precision of my poor opening and gave the first taste of the ice-cool scalpel.”
Game 4
Game 4
Queen’s Indian Defense
Kasparov put clearly the pressure from the start and went to the middle game with a considerable advantage. He didn’t play accurately before the zeitnot but was still better before the adjournment. With a precise sealing move followed by pawn liquidation Karpov drew the position few moves later.
Game 5
Game 5
Sicilian Defense
Karpov chooses 6. Be2 and Kasparov steers back into the Scheveningen avoiding the Keres’ variation played in game 1. White has more space and Black a very solid position. None of the player is willing to take any risk and a draw was agreed after Kasparov repeated the position.
Game 6
Game 6
Queen’s Indian Defense
After the quick draw Kasparov had another promising position in the 6th game which was another Queen-Indian opening. But playing too fast he missed a decisive 27 Nf5 with clear winning chance. Finally after another 41st move mistake Kasparov went to the adjournment with a lost Rook ending. Karpov played then ‘a la Capablanca’ and scored his second points. It is clear that Kasparov was in shock.
Game 7
Game 7
Queen’s Gambit
In the next game, a Tarrasch opening, he played without the dash showed in the previous games. Using too much time for the opening he went into time trouble. Missing the right defense he resigned on move 41 without to resume the game. With the score 3-0 after only seven games played, none doubted about the sort issue of this match.
Game 8
Game 8
Catalan Opening
Kasparov needed some rest and a quick was agreed in the 8th game.
Game 9
Game 9
Queen’s Gambit
The 9th game was the first full-blooded theoretical debate of the match. The variation was the same than the 7th game but Kasparov was ready with a good improvement and of course Karpov deviated first with 15 Bd4. Kasparov’s strategy was to reach a comfortable endgame which he got until…move 45 which according Timman was a fatal mistake. The endgame went easier for Karpov with a good Knight against a bad Bishop and after the brilliant 47th move Ng2! Kasparov had only to wait the final judgment: 4-0 in favour of Karpov.
J. Speelman:“Karpov has always played well but this I didn’t expect. Kasparov probably lost his nerve. His still young. He hasn’t develop an iron will”
A. Kapov: Being four points ahead, I wasn’t out to push to extremes either. That may have been where I went wrong- you have to strike wjhile the iron hot”
Game 10
Game 10
Queen’s Indian Defense
With White Kasparov made another quick draw (15 moves) before to plunge to the 11th game.
Game 11
Game 11
English Opening
Strangely Karpov didn’t play 1.d4 but entered into an English opening. After two weak moves Kasparov went again into trouble which made Karpov after 28 moves smelled the 5-0. However he threw away his advantage on move 29 missing the better 29. Ke2. Eventually players agreed to draw after 41 moves.
Game 12
Game 12
Queen’s Gambit
It looked that Kasparov preferred Karpov with Black so the 12th game finished with another quick draw.
Game 13
Game 13
English Opening
In the 13th game Karpov had to face a home-preparation but despite a long thought he emerged in the middle game with a slight advantage. But now enough to be expect for a rapid issue. With an accurate play and a fine 19th move Qa2 Kasparov equalized.
Game 14
Game 14
Queen’s Indian Defense
Still keeping his intention to play Karpov with Black, Kasparov another 16 moves draw in the 14th.
Game 15
Game 15
Queen’s Indian Defense
Karpov, in the 15th, played a new idea in the Queen-Indian defence 13.Rc2 which gave him some advantage in the middle game. With the benefit of the unclear Karparov 22th move Rd8, this advantage could become decisive if he had played Rd7 on move 29. However at the adjournment Karpov’s position was still superior with the extra pawn but the different colour Bishops made it very difficult to concretize it. After a very long session of 94 moves Karpov agreed to share the point.
Game 16
Game 16
Queen’s Indian Defense
Finally for the 16th Kasparov changed tactic and decided to challenge Karpov with white piece. In a Queen-Indian Karpov try to improve a known variation played the same year by A. Sokolov but Kasparov reacted well and was clearly better when he decided to sacrifice the exchange on move 23. Unfortunately for Garry, Karpov found the only possible continuation to survive and players agreed to draw the game a dozen of moves later.
Game 17
Game 17
Queen’s Gambit
Nothing to say. Kasparov used similar variation used by Karpov to counter the Tartakover variation of the Queen’s Gambit declined. White liquidated the centre and minors pieces then accept Black draw‘s proposal.
Game 18
Game 18
Queen’s Indian Defense
The QI Defense debate continued. Karpov’s 13th is a novelty designed to avoid the microscopic disadvantage of previous and practical experience and despite its risky appearance the champion’s preparations were without any consequence. Black had a solid draw.
Game 19
Game 19
Queen’s Gambit Declined
Karpov, as White continued the policy of both players to adopt the weapon of the other. Karpov tried the Kasparov 6.Bxf6 and reach an ending similar to game six. But this time Kasparov held him to draw.
Game 20
Game 20
Double Fianchetto
For the first time Kasparov varied from his usual 1.d4 and soon with opposite color reached the position of game 13. Kasparov played 14. Rb1 instead of Fa3 and Karpov solved all the problems with the strong 14…Qe5! and another half point a move later.
Game 21
Game 21
Queen’s Gambit Declined
Kasparov deviated from the 19th game with 7…dxc4 and got easy and active position. Exact defense neutralize Black tiny initiative.
Game 22
Game 22
Catalan Opening
Kasparov varied from game 8 with 8. a4 but reduce tension with the passive 13. Ne5. Not happy with his position the Challenger offered a draw with a slight superiority as White on his 20th move. The 13th in a row…
Game 23
Game 23
Queen’s Gambit Declined
Karpov met a line which was used already by Korchnoi in 1981. White’s small initiative disappeared after central exchange and another draw was normaly concluded.
Game 24
Game 24
English Opening
The game followed the usual pattern with Kasparov offering an early draw after 17 moves despite till being better. This time the rapidity of the offer was too much for the loyal spectators and players were greeted with all kind of protests
J. Tisdall who was at the stage as journalist commented “ Discontent about the trend of the play has spread beyond the trapped foreign press. After several games, the match spectators have become a bit ugly. Following the handshake the crow reacted with a loud hum of disapproval, punctuated by angry whistles. Even such government organs as the USSR Chess Federation and the Sprot Committee are grumbling that the current display is hardly an advertisement for “the Soviet School of chess”. As for media coverage some of it has been laced with open irony and sarcasm.”
Game 25
Game 25
Queen’s Gambit Declined
Today draw took much more time than usual. Rc2 on move 13th was an interesting improvement and White obtained a little plus after both Rooks focalized Black’s weakness on d5. Somehow Black managed to hold on and short of time Karpov didn’t want to risk any bad surprise. Another draw was agreed on move 21. The Capablanca-Alekhine’s record was quietly doubled.
Game 26
Game 26
English Opening
After a long thought Karpov sheds a pawn to reach a drawish ending.
From game 17 till 26 knowing that the match will still be on for another couple of weeks and to recover the energy spent during the first 2 months, the players agreed for fast draws.
Game 27
Game 27
Queen’s Gambit
Karpov played at his best this 27th game with white colour. Playing a couple of good moves he managed to win a pawn for nothing. Despite missing a clear winning with 41. h3, he forced wining Rook and Bishop ending which obliged his challenger to gave-up 18 moves later. Tal and Taimanov were deeply impressed by the strategic encroachment begun with Karpov’s move. Later Tal said that Kasparov missed away to escape with a draw but no analyse could prove this and Karpov is now leading 5-0
Game 28
Game 28
Petroff Defense
With a lead of 5-0 the only question unanswered was to know when the last point would be scored? With no fear Kasparov played for the first time e4. Karpov answered with the Panov defence and neutralize very well the middle game. The game concluded with the sharing of the point. The results were similar in the next three games.
Game 29
Game 29
Queen’s Gambit Meran
The shortest draw so far. Thirteen moves which made the story so fast that many spectators could not reach the playing hall on time!
Game 30
Game 30
Petroff Defense
The game followed one played between Tal and Suetin in Sochi 1977. Karpov chose the post-mortem lines published in the magazine 64, which according Tal, gave Black an absolute equal game. Kasparov could not find any improvement. The Capablanca-Alekhine mark of the longest match in the history was reached…
Game 31
Game 31
Queen’s Gambit
As in game 27, Karpov played a powerful retreat (17. Ne1) which forced Kasparov to liquidate his centre for the loss of a pawn. But this time around, the challenger developed real Kingside counterplay. With both flags rising, Karpov offered a draw which was accepted immediately by his opponent.
Game 32
Game 32
Queen’s Indian Defense
The game started with another Queen-Indian. Surprisingly Karpov messed-up his opening by playing an incorrect which to leave Kasparov with a clear advantage after 20 moves. Despite a miscalculation and a terrible time trouble, Kasparov entered into a Queen ending with a extra point. There was no doubt that the adjournment position was winning and Karpov resigned by telephone avoiding then the public standing ovation for his young opponent. The next three games finished quietly in more or less 20 moves. Karpov is leading 5-1.
Game 33
Game 33
Queen’s Gambit
Another theoretical debate. After 14. Td1 it looked White showed some initiative with the control of the centre. Kasparov precision was necessary and after 17…Be5! all the tension was removed from the board and draw inevitable.
Game 34
Game 34
Queen’s Gambit
After many weeks the match beat a new record. With the score 5 to 1 and 28 draws the actual match beat the old record of 6 to 3 and 24 draws set in 1927 by Alekhine and Capablanca. For the game, Karpov diverted from game 25 with 9…dxc4 and some smilar position already occurred in 1981 during the match Karpov-Korchnoi, both players shared the point after 20 moves.
Game 35
Game 35
Sicilian Defense
After a break due to the dead of the Marshall Oustinov, the match started again with another draw in 17 moves. Kasparov followed an old idea of Korchnoi which was also played at the recent 1984 Soviet championship between Balashov and Salov won by the last one. Here both players decided to stop the contest without t show any home-work.
Game 36
Game 36
Queen’s Gambit
Exhausted the players went on with the 36th game. Kasparov played a new idea 15.Ne5 that many founded…unclear and very risky. To avoid the equality Kasparov decided to sacrifice his Knight in order to fire up the board. Was it right or not? Well at least this move was a bit tricky and Karpov didn’t choose the right continuation, which made Kasparov with a comfortable position. But at the conclusion time the challenger missed once again a 26 Rd7! a golden opportunity to come back to the score. Instead he shared the point after 41 moves.
Game 37
Game 37
Sicilian Defense
Karpov introduced 9. Nb3 for the first time in this match instead of 9. f4 played in game 35. This move has been played for the first time by Gligoric, the actual chief arbiter, thirty years ago. After 10 moves most of the experts predicted a quick draw which was agreed five moves later after few exchanges. The main news of the day was the announcement from the organizers to move the match to the “Sport Hotel” situated somewhere in the suburb of Moscow. Of course at the rate of 7,000 roubles per day with many more weeks to go the organizers replied that they could not hold it financially.
Game 38
Game 38
Queen’s Gambit
The players repeated the moves occurred already in game 12. With 12..c5 Karpov definitively improved his position then came Kasparov’s 16. Qc2, a new moves, which gave more option on the Q-side. Karpov spent 47 minutes for his answer. Kasparov, very nervous, was not able to take any benefit of his small advantage and finally to avoid any disappointment he chose to repeat the position three times and force another draw.
Game 39
Game 39
Queen’s Gambit
Karpov as White repeated the moves made by Kasparov in game 38. Only on move 22 does the champion varied with Nb5xa7 and obtained a small advantage. The adjournment did give any winning chance and draw in 48 moves was once more agreed
Game 40
Game 40
Queen’s Gambit
Kasparov missed another gold opportunity. After a fourthy weak move he let Karpov escape with a draw. Karpov, in time trouble, who missed the winning move to conclude the match, 33.a6 instead of Rd1 could have change the chess history. The players were very tired and of course the quality of the games went down with more and more mistakes. The match was on for more than four months already breaking of kind of records established in the previous championship.
Game 41
Game 41
Petroff’s Defense
Karpov with 9. Be2 surprised his opponent who created himself some counter-chance after some good manoeuvres of his Knights. The Challenger chose to avoid deep complication with 18… Nxb2 but it was clear that with not too much time on their clock the balance could breaks after any move. The alarm came after 30…f4 which led White completely winning if they had played 33. a6 but fortunately for the Challenger Karpov missed it then a theoretical draw was soon reached.
Game 42
Game 42
Queen’s Gambit
An interesting novelty 16…Rfc8 played by Karpov indubitably killed any White’s hope to score the point.
Game 43
Game 43
Sicilian Defense
A quick draw game, already played by the Bulgarian Georgiev and the American Kudrin, in which both players agreed to share the point in 21 moves.
Game 44
Game 44
Ruy Lopez
Inside a deep but well known Spanish, Kasparov managed to played with powerful Bishop pair but missed to concretize a decisive advantage with 30. Qd4 instead of 30. e6. A bloody fight which saw another escape from the cjampion.
Game 45
Game 45
Sicilian Defense
The players discussed once again the position raised in game 5. In middle game Kasparov tried some tactical moves but good and careful calculation permitted the champion to the Champion to avoid to fall into the trap.
Game 46
Game 46
Ruy Lopez
After an interesting novelty on move 13 Kasparov as White had a definitively better position once both players reached the middle game. Pressed by the time Karpov missed a tactical and winning move 32. Nexd6! But luckily for him, Kasparov missed it also and after a good defense the game ended with another draw.
Game 47
Game 47
Queen’s Gambit
After an unclear opening Karpov was not too well inspired to refuse after 15 moves the offer of draw. He went on and suddenly realized his overoptimistic judgment and after a fatal mistake, which came already with a desperate position he congratulated his opponent after 29 moves.
Keene: “ Karpov’s play was surprisingly feeble and towards the end of the game he turned bright red , a sign of his imminent defeat…Karpov has won a game for two months and must have recalled with apprehension how Korchnoi has pull back from 5-2 in Baguio in 1978.”
Scheduled on February 1 the next game did not take place. On the same night Campomanes held a meeting with Gligoric, Kinzel, and representatives of the payers. Campomanes’ proposal, which had allegedly been approved by Karpov, was as follows: ‘To limit the match to further eight games; if no result as prescribed by the regulations is achieved during this time, the match will end. Karpov will remain the champion, but a new match will be held this September starting with a score of nil-nil.’ A few hours later Campomanes flew off to Dubai leaving the negotiations Kinzel and Kasparov rejected the proposal. “Even a child could see how absurd it was.”Kasparov said.
Negotiations continued and on 4 February Gligoric submitted another draft said to be from Karpov:
Kasparov acknowledges himself beaten in the match.
A new match will begin in September with the score at till-nil. If Kasparov wins by three points or less, he will become world champion until 1 January 1986 since he will have failed to show outright superiority over Karpov in the two matches The title will then revert to Karpov, and Kasparov will play in candidates matches. –
If Kasparov wins the match by four or more points, he will become the world champion and will promise to defend his title in 1986 in a match tournament of three players (against Karpov and the winner of the candidates’ cycle).
Kasparov: “When I categorically refused to discuss such conditions, Gligoric advised me to ‘think it all over thoroughly and, on ‘nature reflection, agree to it’.
That same evening Kinzel took up the cause. He came to my hotel and also began trying to persuade me to accept Karpov’s conditions. So FIDE, in the person of Kinzel expressed its readiness to discuss the conditions seriously, despite the fact they were a flagrant violation of -the FIDE rules for a world championship match..”. –
Game 48
Game 48
Petroff’s Defense
Kasparov lunch a good stroke to explode the Black King castle. With a clear winning end game, the challenger messed-up a bit but reach the adjournment with a clear plus. Analyses predicted a win but with some technical difficulties. The game resumed and after some 20 moves finished as expected Kasparov took the point and the score reached 5-3.
Kasparov: “People believe that because the champion was unwell my victories the result of luck. Careful analysis does not bear this out. Of course Karpov’s play was far from perfect, but surely no one would venture to say that he made more errorsat the end of the match than at the beginning.
The people around Karpov couldn’t understand what was happening. Because he had beaten me so easily in the early games, they could only assume that he must be unwell to be losing at the end. To them, if Karpov was losing he must be sick so they must protect him, and incidentally, of course, themselves. ”
