13. bxa7 gives white what looks like a dangerous pawn inside black's camp but Karpov keeps all the threats firmly under control.

14..f6 and 15..fxe5 open up lines around white's king. Karpov piles the pressure on the half-open d-file with 16...Re8

18..Qh5 is a great move and visually very pleasing because the black queen and bishop are firing into the white camp along the white squares from extreme ends of the board!

White is being pressured from both flanks and down the center simultaneously!

19..Ka8 is a finesse, right at the moment when most players would be looking to continue their attack, (e.g.19..g5 ) Karpov improves his king position. This of course allows the final attack to be carried out in virtually one breath, as white has no counter-play!

19..Kxa7? and after 20.Bd2+,Ka8 21. Kf2, g5 does not gain a tempo.

After 21. Qe3 black has a number of ways to continue the attack, e.g. 21...Bd6 but 21...g5! is the strongest. White has three pieces controlling the g5 square, pawn-g5 is therefore a surprising continuation and the bishop is forced to accept the sacrifice.

22...Bb4+ and the attack continues on the opposite wing! Karpov's drives the white king with his bishops towards the open f-file...and the rooks!

24. Kg2 and the white king seems to have found some sanctuary but...24..Rxe5! blows what remains of the white position apart.

White's queen has almost no available squares and if the rook is accepted or not the mate is unavoidable (25. Qd4, Qf3+ 26. Kh2, Re2+ 27. Qf2, Rxf2 28. Kh3, Qf5+ 29.g3, Qf3 mate)

27..Bc8+ brings home the win, with the bishop supporting the mating attack from the opposite wing.

Obviously 29.Qg3, Qxg3 checkmate.

I think white's decision to part with his light bishop so early was a major mistake, since Karpov's whole attack makes use of the weak light squares in white's camp. Particularly the f1-a6 diagonal, the h3-c8 diagonal and of course the vital f3 square.

Timman vs Karpov, 1984.
YOU ARE PLAYING THE ROLE OF KARPOV.
Your score: 43 (par = 30) <Par is now 31>