★★★ INTRO ★★★

The 1981 World Chess Championship was between 30 year old defending champion Anatoly Karpov of the Soviet Union and 50 year old challenger Viktor Korchnoi of Switzerland.

★★★ QUALIFICATION ★★★

Karpov successfully defended his title by a narrow score of 6-5 last time (see Game Collection: 1978 World Chess Championship for games and more info), so it was time for a new challenger. Two interzonals were held, with the top 3 in each tournament advancing to the Candidates.

The first one took place in Riga (see Riga Interzonal (1979) for games and more info). Mikhail Tal won impressively with a score of 14/17, 2 1/2 points ahead of the second place winner, Lev Polugaevsky who scored 11.5/17. In third was Andras Adorjan of Hungary, scoring 11/17. Zoltan Ribli also scored 11/17, and so competed in a 6 game match to decide who advances (see Game Collection: Budapest Interzonal Playoff 1979 or Budapest Interzonal Playoff (1979) for games and more info). It was tied 3-3, but Adorjan advanced on tiebreak.

The second one took place in Rio de Janeiro (see Rio de Janeiro Interzonal (1979) for games and more info). The top 3 tied for 11.5/17, and all qualified for the Candidates. They were Robert Huebner, Tigran Petrosian and Lajos Portisch.

In the Candidates, the two finalists from last time, Korchnoi and Boris Spassky received direct seeding. In the quarter-finals, it was a best of 10 (first to 5 1/2). Korchnoi beat Petrosian 5 1/2-3 1/2 (see Korchnoi - Petrosian Candidates Quarterfinal (1980) for games and more info), Polugaevsky beat Tal 5 1/2-2 1/2 (see Polugaevsky - Tal Candidates Quarterfinal (1980) for games and more info), and Adorján beat Hübner 5 1/2-4 1/2 (see Huebner - Adorjan Candidates Quarterfinal (1980) for games and more info). Portisch and Spassky also met, but it was tied 5-5 after 10 (see Game Collection: Portisch - Spassky Candidates Quarterfinal 1980 or Portisch - Spassky Candidates Quarterfinal (1980) for games and more info). Two more games were played, but the match was still tied. Two last games were played, but the match remained tied 7-7. Portisch advanced due to more black games won (1-0).

In the semi-finals, Polugaevsky was eliminated by Korchnoi 7 1/2-6 1/2 in the best of 12 format, after two tiebreak games (see Korchnoi - Polugaevsky Candidates Semifinal (1980) for games and more info). Hübner knocked out Portisch 6 1/2-4 1/2 in the other semi final matchup (see Huebner - Portisch Candidates Semifinal (1980) for games and more info).

In the final, Korchnoi was leading 4 1/2-3 1/2 in a first to 6 1/2, however Hübner forfeit the match, allowing Korchnoi to face Karpov in a WCC match for a second time in a row (see Korchnoi - Huebner Candidates Final (1980/81) for games and more info).

★★★ CONDITIONS ★★★

The match took place in Meran, Italy. The format was the same as last time: First to win 6 games, draws not counting. Note: This match is measured in wins. Total score is in brackets. The first game was played on October 1st, 1981.

★★★ FINAL ★★★

The last round (18) was played on November 19th, 1981. Entering the round, Karpov had the white pieces and a commanding 5-2 lead. One win, and game set match. He did so. Karpov had successfully defended his title against Korchnoi, again.

★★★ MINI TABLE ★★★

Karpov 1 1 1/2 1 1/2 0 1/2 1/2 1 1/2 1/2 1/2 0 1 1/2 1/2 1/2 1 (6 wins, 10 draws, 2 losses) <61.1% score>

Korchnoi 0 0 1/2 0 1/2 1 1/2 1/2 0 1/2 1/2 1/2 1 0 1/2 1/2 1/2 0 (2 wins, 10 draws, 6 losses) <38.9% score>

★★★ OTHER LINKS ★★★

See also: Karpov - Korchnoi World Championship Match (1981)

Head to Head Match up Prior to 1981: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/ches... (13 wins, 44 draws and 12 losses in favour of Karpov)

Previous World Championship: Game Collection: 1978 World Chess Championship

Next World Championship:
Game Collection: 1984 World Chess Championship