Anatoly Karpov – Legendary World Chess Champion & Positional Genius

Anatoly Karpov was born on May 23, 1951, in Zlatoust, Russian SFSR.

Karpov began playing chess when he was just four years old.

By age 11, Karpov had become a Candidate Master.

At 12, he joined Mikhail Botvinnik's prestigious chess school despite initial doubts from Botvinnik.

Karpov credits Botvinnik's assigned homework for his rapid improvement in chess.

He became the youngest Soviet chess master at age 15, tying Boris Spassky's record.

Karpov won his first international tournament in Třinec, beating Viktor Kupreichik.

In 1969, Karpov won the World Junior Chess Championship undefeated.

He earned the International Master title in 1969.

Karpov was awarded the Grandmaster title in 1970.

He won the Alekhine Memorial tournament in 1971, his first major adult tournament victory.

Between 1971 and 1973, Karpov's Elo rating rose from 2540 to 2660.

Karpov qualified for the Candidates Matches to challenge Bobby Fischer.

He beat former World Champion Boris Spassky in the Candidates semi-final.

Karpov defeated Viktor Korchnoi in the 1974 Candidates final to earn a title shot.

Fischer forfeited the 1975 championship match, awarding Karpov the title.

Karpov proved himself by winning nearly every major tournament for 10 years.

He won 9 consecutive tournaments, a record later broken by Kasparov.

Karpov won the USSR Championship in 1976, 1983, and 1988.

He was part of the USSR team that won six Chess Olympiads.

Karpov faced Kasparov in five epic World Championship matches between 1984 and 1990.

The 1984 match lasted 48 games before it was controversially terminated.

Karpov lost the 1985 title match to Kasparov by a close margin, 13–11.

Karpov had winning chances but lost the final match game due to time pressure.

Kasparov leads Karpov in classical games 28 wins to 20.

Karpov was world No.1 for 102 months, the third longest in history.

His highest Elo rating was 2780 in July 1994.

Karpov’s Olympiad performance was nearly flawless.

His style was patient and suffocating, strangling opponents slowly.

Karpov’s positional style is often compared to the legendary José Raúl Capablanca.

Karpov defeated Korchnoi in Baguio to retain his title.

His 1981 title defense against Korchnoi was a decisive victory.

Karpov tied first with Mikhail Tal in a star-studded field.

Scored 13½ out of 15 in one of his strongest tournament showings.

Won the Bugojno tournament in 1978, 1980, and 1986.

Won Tilburg in 1977, 1979, 1980, 1982, and 1983.

After Kasparov split from FIDE, Karpov reclaimed the FIDE World Championship.

Scored 11/13 with a historic 2985 performance rating, the highest at the time.

Successfully defended his title against Gata Kamsky in 1996.

Karpov refused to defend the FIDE title and lost it in 1999.

After 1997, Karpov limited classical play, focusing more on rapid and blitz chess.

Karpov beat Kasparov 2½–1½ in a 2002 rapid match.

Shared first place with Kasparov in a 2006 blitz event.

Kasparov won 9–3 in a rapid/blitz match in Valencia.

Karpov won a rapid tournament named after him.

Opened the Anatoly Karpov International School of Chess in Kansas in 2003.

Due to political reasons, the school was renamed International Chess Institute of the Midwest.

Karpov has been a member of the Russian State Duma since 2011.

Chairs the Commission for Ecological Safety and Environmental Protection in Russia.

Supported the Dima Yakovlev Law banning US adoptions of Russian orphans.

Karpov publicly backed Russia’s annexation of Crimea in 2014.

Denied US visas amid geopolitical tensions despite frequent visits since 1972.

Karpov was sanctioned during the Russo-Ukrainian War.

In 2022, Karpov was placed in a medically induced coma after a fall but made a full recovery.

Ran for FIDE President in 2010 but lost to Kirsan Ilyumzhinov.

Karpov's style is based on pressure, minimal risks, and exploiting small mistakes.

He squeezed opponents slowly and mercilessly.

Awarded the "best player of the year" nine times by the International Association of Chess Press.

Asteroid 90414 Karpov honors his legacy.

Karpov owns a private library with approximately 9,000 chess books.

He has an extensive collection of Belgian philately and postal history stamps.

Besides chess, Karpov is an enthusiastic backgammon player.

His coach greatly influenced his playing style and career.

Karpov was respected for his gentlemanly behavior and professionalism.

He has written and co-written several influential chess books and memoirs.

All were close and highly competitive encounters.

Karpov scored +13-1=22 against former World Champion Boris Spassky.

Karpov was famous for converting small advantages into wins in endgames.

Shared first place with Tal in 1979, considered a major highlight.

Won five times during this period.

Often won games without flashy tactics, focusing on strategic pressure.

He would patiently force opponents into mistakes.

Karpov preferred secure, winning paths over speculative attacks.

Out of 68 games in Chess Olympiads, he lost only twice.

Faced legends like Spassky, Fischer, Kasparov, Tal, and Korchnoi.

Karpov exemplified the Soviet preference for positional, technical mastery.

Maintained elite performance for decades.

Alongside Spassky, Tal, and Botvinnik, Karpov represented the pinnacle of Soviet chess.

Rarely lost his composure under pressure.

Many of his matches are studied for their instructive value.

Karpov’s play influenced many aspiring players worldwide.

Known for advocating reforms in chess governance.

Remains active in promoting chess globally.

His style emphasized clarity and order on the board.

His autobiographical works offer deep insights into chess and life.

From the 1960s well into the 2000s.

Navigated Soviet politics during his career.

Involved in various charitable and social efforts.

Awarded prestigious Soviet and Russian orders.

Used his status to promote chess diplomacy internationally.

Karpov's defensive skills were world-class, allowing him to neutralize attacks.

Often out-prepared his opponents in the opening phase.

Karpov was a key figure in maintaining Soviet dominance.

His endgame skills remain a model for players worldwide.

Involved with FIDE and Russian chess organizations.

Benefited from mentorship by great coaches like Semyon Furman.

Karpov’s pragmatic style often led to many draws against top opponents.

Considered a master of strategic play.

Participated in landmark matches and tournaments shaping chess history.

Karpov remains active in chess education and promotion worldwide.