In the first game, which was played on 28 July produced a major surprise as Kasparov played the Grunfeld defence. A defence, which he is never known to have played officially before in such contest. Karpov avoided complication and after 21 moves players agreed to draw.
Game 2
Game 2
Nimzo-Indian Defense
The second game was similar to all Nimzo-Indian games played by Karpov in the previous match: bad to worse. After major exchange in the middle game Kasparov slowly gained ground and on move 39 had a clear winning position. But with 4 minutes still left on his clock he missed the winning move 39. Rc7!! He was still better but Karpov saved the game by accurate endgame play.
Game 3
Game 3
Grunfeld Defense
Kasparov defended with another Grunfeld this time he used the solid pattern d5-c6 to counter White g3 line. However Karpov’ third to sixth move avoided all sharp play and left the spectators with another technical game and an attempt to squeeze something out of a symmetrical position. Finally another draw was agreed.
Game 4
Game 4
Nimzo-Indian Defense
Kasparov got his first victory of the match. He outplayed Karpov in the late middle game with some unusual Bishop manoeuvres and finishing with the strong 23. Rfd1 which gave him an decisive advantage. Score: 2.5:1.5 in favour of Kasparov.
The guardian of London said: “So far, Karpov is clearly I poor form, he has been under pressure with black pieces and made little headway with White. The match is not yet lost but he has a mountain to climb.”
Game 5
Game 5
Grunfeld Defense
Karpov levelled the score. This time Karpov was able to demolish the Grunfeld as Kasparov was much worse after an unclear homemade preparation. The sharp opening, clearly prepared in depth by both players, led to just the sort of position in which Karpov excels: a manoeuvre game around a fixed pawn structure. The outcome was probably settle after 19.h4…
Game 6
Game 6
Petroff Defense
Kasparov played 1 e4 for the first time and Karpov countered with the Petroff’s Defense. The Champion sacrificed a pawn and seemed to have a very fine attack going on until move 16 when a sudden Queen move ensured Karpov an inevitable draw.
Game 7
Game 7
Queen’s Gambit
Karpov seemed to have built up a crushing position with the Queen’s Gambit Declined Exchange Variation. But instead of continuing the attack on the King he suddenly switched his attention to the Queen’s side. Then when he got back to the King’s side black was adequately geared to meet the threat and the game ended in a thrilling draw.
Game 8
Game 8
Queen’s Gambit
Kasparov takes the led (4.5:3.5). As in the sixth game, Karpov found himself facing a ferocious attack. In a very complicated and thrilling middle game where Kasparov’s pieces were swarming all over the black King-side.
Karpov won an insignificant pawn on the queen-side and then survived till move 30. But this chess clock ran out of time and he lost in a position, which did not then appear to be clearly winning for white.
Game 9
Game 9
Grunfeld Defense
Another Grunfeld played by Kasparov and yet another draw. Once again Karpov obtained nothing with white piece and was happy to repeat moves at the earliest opportunity.
Game 10
Game 10
Queen’s Gambit
The game a draw too, but more fiercely fought. Uncomfortable form the opening, kapov was always under pressure from White’s superior development. Adjourned after 43 moves, but not resumed.
Game 11
Game 11
Grunfeld Defence
The contest was the best game of the first part of the match. Both players had the pleasure to share the £10,000 generously offered by the British company Save nd Prosper. It was a game full of fireworks, sparked off by a 15th move novelty by Karpov. Both players disdained drawing lines when they occurred and went at each other. But ultimately, after 41 moves, they had to sign the draw in a simple rook ending.
Game 12
Game 12
Queen’s Gambit
A quiet draw agreed after 34 moves. The game was a dilute version of game 10. With a little improvement, Karpov accepted a slight disadvantage but this time he never looked in serious danger of defeat.
The game marked also the end of the London first part of the championship. Kasparov is leading by a single point. Both players seemed reasonably satisfied with their play in the first twelve games. Kasparov: “I was happy both with the score 6½- 5½, and, on the whole with my play, which had come off in all stages from the opening to endgame. Karpov: “If I can play the rest match as in the last three games, I shall be content.” English GM A. Miles summarized the general attitude: With White, Kasparov is producing a lot of winning chance, while Karpov is producing nothing special.”
For the first time since 1948, the players have been required to moves house in the middle of the battle.
The Leningrad second half began on September 5th with Game 13.
