The eighth move 8…d5 played by Kasparov was a real surprise. Kasparov played as he did before against Karpov his own Gambit preparation. On the 11th move Karpov improved the theory with 11.Be2, which made Kasparov think for 20 minutes about his next 2 moves. After move 16, his position was clearly better and with a big pressure on the center and on the Queen’s side, he immediately put Karpov into trouble. With no time on his clock, something like 15 minutes for 11 moves, Karpov could not find the right defense and resign before getting mate at the move 41.
Kasparov:“Such games are remember for a long time and it particular by the winner himself, after putting part of his sol into the sustained realization of his plan. Early to I succeeded in carrying out pretty combinations, making spectacular sacrifice of material and conducting complete strategic games, but none of my earlier creation on the chess board can compare with this 16th game as regards the grandiosity of the overall plan.”
Game 17
Game 17
Nimzo-Indian Defense
Karpov probably came with a big fighting spirit to play his 17th Game. He tried a new idea in the Nimzo-Indian Defense with 9…Na5. However, despite the pawn weakness, Kasparov had no real trouble to hold black initiative and both players agreed to draw after the move 29.
Game 18
Game 18
Sicilian Defense
There is nothing much to say about the 18th Game. Only that the assistance was quite surprised by the passivity of Karpov, who accepted a draw after the move 23.
Game 19
Game 19
Nimzo-Indian Defense
Kasparov built up a strong position from the opening of the 19th Game: another Nimzo-Indian Defense. Probably Karpov’s weak move 10…d6 helped Kasparov’s 11.c4 to take a clear advantage. When both players reached move 20, it was more or less clear that Karpov would go into trouble. Despite a timid counter-attack, White has a very active position, which gave no chance for Black to survive. Of course, the Karpov’s blunder due to time trouble made the final decision even faster, the Game was adjourned on the move 24, but Karpov resigned without resuming it the next day.
Kasparov:“A strategically complete game, which afforded me creative satisfaction…”
Game 20
Game 20
Queen’s Gambit
Kasparov did not want to take too much risk for the Game 20 playing a Queen’s Gambit declined yet more or less equal position after the move 10. With a microscopic advantage for Karpov, the experts were sure that the game would be quickly finished before the adjournment. However, both players decided to play until the very end. The same color Bishop ending went on until move 85 where White were pawn up but without chance to win.
Game 21
Game 21
Queen’s Gambit
It was strange to see Kasparov leading with 2 points to play aggressive openings when quiet games without risk could give him more chances to reach his final goal. With both players running short of time the board was really in fire. The position looked more favorable for White after the move 27, but even in time-trouble Karpov found an accurate move which gave him a safe way to draw the games after the move 44.
Game 22
Game 22
Queen’s Gambit
Kasparov opened with the solid Queen’s Gambit declined but strangely played 7…Bf5 instead of 7…c5. With great courage, Karpov decided to go for a very aggressive continuation and weakened Kasparov’s position. Two decisive errors committed by Kasparov made his position completely hopeless after 35 moves. The rest was just a matter of technique. After 42 moves Kasparov resigned without resuming the game. The match became very exiting with two games left to be played and only 1 point needed by Kasparov to become the new World Champion.
Game 23
Game 23
A very fine game was the 23rd confrontation. A lot of theory in the opening of the game gave Karpov a slight advantage after 21 moves. However, his 37th move was probably not the best one and all his advantage disappeared without great convictions, the offer to share point by Kasparov was accepted after 41 moves.
Game 24
Game 24
Queen’s Gambit
The last game was played on November 9, 1985. The Tchaikovsky’s Hall in Moscow was fully packed with chess lovers. Many of them came for the possible celebration of the new World Champion. The young Challenger needed just a draw to become the young ever World Champion. Karpov started with the unexpected 1.e4, that many commented as strange as he did not have any success against Kasparov since the 3rd game of his first match, so we went again to a Sicilian Defense where White had a big space advantage and Black launch a counterattack on the Queen’s side. Clearly Karpov did not want to play for another draw by refusing to repeat the position on move 31, instead he played a weak 31 Rh4, giving to Kasparov the chance to answer strongly with 31…g5, a move which completely blew up White’s position. After a fatal blunder on move 36, Kasparov went on for an easy victory and scored a full point to make the final standing 13:11.
