Karpov vs. Kasparov (1984–1990): A Rivalry for the Ages

Anatoly Karpov and Garry Kasparov face off in Moscow, 1984 – the beginning of an epic rivalry. If Fischer–Spassky was the most famous match and Kasparov–Deep Blue the most novel, the rivalry between Anatoly Karpov and Garry Kasparov stands as the longest and perhaps most intense championship confrontation in chess history. 

From 1984 to 1990, these two Soviet titans played five World Championship matches against each other, producing 144 games of high-level chess and countless memorable moments​. It has been called “the greatest rivalry in chess, and, in the words of Leontxo García, in all of sports”​. The rivalry featured sharply contrasting styles, political undertones, and drama that stretched over multiple encounters.

Background

Anatoly Karpov had become world champion in 1975 by default (when Fischer forfeited the title) and went on to cement his dominance with two successful title defenses. He was the heir of the Soviet chess school – a positional virtuoso often likened to a “boa constrictor” for how he would squeeze opponents gradually. By the early 1980s, Karpov was the game’s leading exponent of classical, prophylactic chess. 

Enter Garry Kasparov, a ferociously talented teenager from Baku, with a bold tactical style and fiery determination. Kasparov was mentored in part by former champion Mikhail Botvinnik and represented a new generation. At just 21, Kasparov earned the right to challenge Karpov by winning the Candidates cycle. 

Their first meeting was the 1984 World Championship match in Moscow, a showdown of youth vs. experience, dynamic vs. positional, and (as some framed it) an embodiment of “new Russia vs. old Russia” – with Kasparov seen as symbolizing reformist energy under Gorbachev, and Karpov the stability of the Brezhnev era​.

1984–85: The Marathon Match. 

The first Karpov–Kasparov match was played under a win-limit format: first to 6 wins would be champion, with no limit on number of games (draws not counting). What ensued was an epic contest that stretched for five months, becoming the longest world title match in history​.

Karpov started in dominating form — he won Game 3, Game 6, Game 7, and Game 9, jumping to a 4–0 lead​. The young Kasparov seemed outclassed early on, struggling to penetrate Karpov’s defense. Then followed an incredible sequence of 17 consecutive draws, as Kasparov switched to a more cautious approach to stop the bleeding​. Karpov finally notched his 5th win in Game 27, after yet another series of draws​. At 5–0 in a race to 6 wins, it looked like Karpov would soon put the upstart away. 

Remarkably, Kasparov refused to collapse. In Game 31, Karpov had a winning position for the title but let it slip to a draw​. And in Game 32, Kasparov achieved his first win against Karpov​. With new confidence, Kasparov dug in. A further parade of draws ensued. Karpov still only needed one win, but he couldn’t break through – in fact, signs of exhaustion were showing; the champion missed another win in Game 41 and had to settle for a draw​. Then, amazingly, Kasparov won Games 47 and 48 back-to-back, narrowing the gap to 5–3​.

Karpov, physically and mentally drained after five months and 48 games, had lost over 10 kg in weight during the match​. At this dramatic juncture, the match was halted in February 1985 by FIDE President Florencio Campomanes, citing the health of the players​. 

This decision – to terminate the match “without result” when Karpov was still leading 5–3 – was highly controversial. Both players protested; Kasparov in particular wanted play to continue since momentum was on his side​. But Campomanes’ ruling stood, and the 1984 match was aborted with no winner. This unprecedented outcome added to the match’s mystique​ and set the stage for an officially fresh match later in 1985. (Notably, the rules were changed back to a fixed-length format thereafter, to avoid such an exhausting ordeal again​.)

1985: Kasparov’s Triumph

The rematch took place in Moscow in fall 1985, now limited to 24 games (first to 12½ points wins, with Karpov retaining the title in event of a 12–12 tie)​. Kasparov, riding the confidence from the unfinished match, came better prepared and in top form. 

This match was still extremely close. Going into the final scheduled game (Game 24), Kasparov led 12–11. Karpov needed a win in the last game to tie 12–12 and thus retain his title, while Kasparov needed only a draw to become champion​. In an incredibly tense Game 24, Kasparov chose to play ambitiously with the Black pieces (a Sicilian Defense), and in a sharp battle he defeated Karpov, securing the win 13–11​. 

At 22 years old, Garry Kasparov became the youngest World Champion ever, wresting the crown from Karpov. The final game showcased Kasparov’s courage and tactical genius under pressure – rather than play for a safe draw, he unleashed dynamic play and was rewarded with victory​. This was a defining moment in chess history: the start of Kasparov’s reign and the first (and only) time Karpov was beaten in a World Championship match.

1986, 1987, 1990: Continued Clashes.

Under FIDE rules, Karpov as the former champion was granted an automatic rematch in 1986. They played that rematch split between London and Leningrad. Kasparov again prevailed by the narrowest of margins: 12½–11½​. 

The following match in 1987 (Seville) was even closer and arguably the peak of their rivalry. The match seesawed and came down to the final game with Kasparov trailing by a point. In Game 23, Karpov had taken the lead 12–11 after capitalizing on a Kasparov miscalculation​.

In Game 24, Karpov only needed a draw with the White pieces to win the title; Kasparov was in a must-win situation. In an epic encounter, Karpov obtained a superior position but faltered under time pressure and missed a drawing resource​. Kasparov seized the opportunity, pressing his extra pawn in a rook endgame. 

After adjournment and further play, Kasparov managed to win Game 24, tying the match 12–12 and thereby retaining his title by the rule that the champion keeps the crown in a tie​. It was a dramatic save by Kasparov, who later said this nerve-wracking game aged him by years. Finally, their fifth and last match was held in 1990 (New York/Lyon), which Kasparov won again 12½–11½ in another tight battle​. In all three of these matches, the outcome was undecided until the final few games – a testament to how evenly matched the two K’s were.

Styles and Notable Games

Karpov and Kasparov’s contrasting playing styles led to rich games that are still studied intensely. Karpov’s style was positional, prophylactic, always seeking to restrict and exploit small advantages; Kasparov’s was dynamic, tactical, aiming to unbalance positions and launch attacks. Their fights produced both fiery tactical clashes and exquisite endgames. 

For example, in the 1985 match, Game 16 (Karpov–Kasparov) is famous for Kasparov’s sacrificial play in a King’s Indian Defense, breaking through Karpov’s defenses in a brilliant assault. In the same match, Game 11 saw Karpov outplay Kasparov in a strategic queenless middlegame, showcasing his endgame skill. 

The final game of 1985 (Game 24) was another masterpiece by Kasparov – deploying the Sicilian Najdorf, he obtained a complex imbalance and eventually a winning attack, rather than settling for the easy half point he needed. In the marathon 1984 match, one of the notable moments was Game 47: Kasparov, needing wins, bravely played a sharp opening as Black and won with a creative advance of his d-pawn that stunned Karpov​. 

The psychological resilience Kasparov showed in 1984 – winning games after 40+ consecutive games without a win – demonstrated his fighting spirit and remains one of the greatest comebacks (even if incomplete) in chess. Karpov, on the other hand, gave a “master class” in technique in early 1984: for instance, Game 9 where his knight dominated Kasparov’s bishop in the endgame, and Game 3 where “everything lined up on the b-file” for Karpov in a beautiful coordination of forces​.

Both players prepared deeply for each other. Opening theory leaped forward as they and their teams analyzed lines in great depth. Many openings are still influenced by their games: Kasparov’s favored King’s Indian Defense and Najdorf Sicilian had to withstand Karpov’s extremely prepared responses, while Karpov’s Queen’s Gambit Declined and Catalan Opening were tested against Kasparov’s novelties. They traded blows in all phases of the game, constantly adapting. This arms race in preparation was a hallmark of their rivalry.

Legacy and Impact

Over five matches, the overall tally was incredibly close: out of 144 games, Kasparov won 21, Karpov 19, with 104 draws. Karpov never actually defeated Kasparov in a match, but he pushed him to the brink multiple times. Their rivalry elevated chess to new analytical heights; never before had two players met so often at the very highest level. Each was arguably the only one in the world capable of challenging the other during that era – together they dominated the 1980s chess scene. The matches also had a political and cultural resonance.

Within the Soviet Union, the duel was seen by some as symbolic: Kasparov (a half-Armenian, half-Jewish young man from Azerbaijan) was outspoken and aligned with reformists, while Karpov (a Russian from the heart of the establishment) was seen as the steady representative of the old guard. 

This narrative added an extra dimension to their battles, though both players themselves were primarily focused on chess. For chess enthusiasts, the Karpov–Kasparov rivalry is an endless source of study and inspiration. Their games appear in countless textbooks illustrating everything from positional squeezes to tactical brilliancies. 

The rivalry also produced significant organizational drama – the aborted 1984 match led to FIDE changing match rules, and after 1990, Kasparov split from FIDE (partly due to frustrations rooted in experiences against Karpov) to form a rival organization. In many ways, their protracted fight over the title in the ’80s set the stage for the fragmented championship cycle of the ’90s. 

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Above all, Kasparov vs. Karpov showed chess at its pinnacle being contested by two titans with utterly different styles. It forged a deep respect between them; Kasparov has often said that Karpov “made him the player he is,” forcing him to find resources and depth he might never have discovered otherwise. The rivalry’s intensity and quality have led it to be likened to Ali vs. Frazier in boxing or Borg vs. McEnroe in tennis​ – a gladiatorial clash of titans. Its influence endures: any discussion of great chess feuds inevitably starts with Karpov and Kasparov. They demonstrated that world championship chess could be a sustained narrative, not just a one-off match, and in doing so, they captivated fans for nearly a decade.

Conclusion

Karpov vs. Kasparov stands as the greatest rivalry in chess, producing an unparalleled body of high-level games and dramatic moments. Their matches pushed opening theory, psychological endurance, and stylistic diversity to new heights. Beyond the board, their clashes mirrored the political evolution of the late Soviet period and laid the foundation for modern championship structures.