Garry Kasparov vs David Letterman (1990)

Garry Kasparov vs David Letterman
? 1990 · Scandinavian Defense: Mieses-Kotroc Variation (B01) · 1-0

To move:

Last move:

Given 47 times; par: 43 [what's this?]

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Mar-19-07		Helios727: Is there a reason why white plays 8. d5 before 9. Nb5 ? It seems like white could play Nb5 on move 8.

Mar-19-07		Helios727: <RookFile>: I don't think a computer could squeeze out a draw for black after Qxg2. The weakness at c7 is already too great at that point.

Mar-19-07		MrPatzer: Just out of curiosity, I looked through the database and found that Kasparov has never lost to the Scandinavian. In fact, the majority of world champs never lost to the Scandinavian at ANY point in their careers. And only once did a world champ lose to the Scandinavian DURING his reign (excluding simuls; Lasker lost a few of those): Karpov vs Larsen, 1979

Mar-20-07		Helios727: <MrPatzer>: I think the Scandinavian is somewhere in the grey area between sound and unsound. That's why you will still see GMs use it, but the results are not so good.

Mar-20-07		OJC: I think you're right Helios727. However, I find the Scandinavian playable with 2. ...Nf6 instead of the more popular ...Qxd5 which I dislike completely.

Jul-27-07		Eggman: <<Letterman was goofing around, didn't pretend he could play. Actually he started out with 1...h5 and K made him take it back. After 1...d5 K said, "Well, that's BETTER." (but not good).>> My memory is that Letterman originally played 1...a5 (not 1...h5), saying "how about this?" Kasparov said "terrible." Letterman then played 1...d5 and Kasparov said "much better."

Aug-25-08		ToTheDeath: Kasparov,G-Letterman,D Telephone Match, 1989 1. e4 d5 After Kasparov's very first move 1.e4, Dave said: "Oh no! I'm screwed!!" There was one move per show, or thereabouts. GK reportedly just played the game from memory (no board). Dave was going to open with a RP move, but Kasparov advised against it. 2. exd5 Qxd5 3. Nc3 Qe6+ Dave: "Three moves, and I've already got him in check!" 4. Be2 Nc6 5. d4 Qg6 Kasparov: "You move your queen too much...I know, it's your favorite piece." 6. Nf3 Qxg2 Dave: "I'm up two to one..." Kasparov: "You'll pay a high price for your two pawns." 7. Rg1 ... Kasparov: "Get away with your queen from my camp!" ... Qh3 8. d5 Na5 Kasparov: "I feel the smell of victory!" Dave: "I have the same aroma here..." 9. Nb5 Qd7 10. Bf4 Nf6 Dave: "I was bored of the second knight." 11. Nxc7+ Kd8 12. Ne5 Qxc7 Kasparov: "I could take your rook, but I prefer your queen." Dave: "I'm gonna take one of your horses. It's 3 to 2 now, isn't it?" 13. Nxf7+ Ke8 14. Bxc7 Kxf7 Kasparov: "A normal man would cry when he loses his queen." Dave: "There just isn't enough televised chess." 15. Bxa5 Bf5 16. Qd4 Bxc2 17. Rc1 Be4 Kasparov: "I think the next week of moves is the last one." Dave: "Ho, ho, ho! We'll just see about that, won't we?" 18. Rc7 Rd8 Kasparov: "I'm invading your camp now..." Dave: "I think I've got one of your pawns in check." 19. d6 b6 20. Bc3 Bd5 21. Qe5 Be6 22. Qxf6+ gxf6 23. Bh5++ 1-0 Kasparov: "You're in good company. All of the grandmasters have been checkmated by me."

Aug-25-08		Bobsterman3000: 1...d5 was the losing move. It was impossible to recover after that howler ??.

Nov-20-08		shintaro go: Didn't know this game ever existed. Haha Letterman, this is the best joke you've ever made.

Dec-02-08		imsobamboozled: how do I search for more games celebrity vs master games?

Dec-02-08		Jim Bartle: Unless somebody has a collection of these games, you have to guess celebrity names. Try Sting, Becker, Einstein and Ray Charles.

Dec-02-08		apple pi: <imsobamboozled> try this: Game Collection: Celebrities games

Mar-11-09		Dredge Rivers: I'll bet Leno could have taken him! :)

Mar-15-09		WhiteRook48: this is so hilarious

Mar-15-09		Marmot PFL: When Morphy played beginners he would at least give knight or rook odds or play blindfolded.

Apr-04-09		Richard Taylor: Letterman is a very funny man - I enjoy his show it sometimes plays at night here in NZ - probably replays. Very droll -

Apr-04-09		Richard Taylor: The Letterman Defense!!

Aug-16-09		Tim G: I vaguely remember this game. Letterman would call Kasparov via telephone to get his move. It may have been at a less-than-ideal time for Kasparov's time zone and, if I remember correctly, Letterman had all day to make his move while Kasparov made his immediately afterward. Is that correct?

Feb-06-10		edbermac: Letterman was probably cheating with a computer. I play Big Bang Chess that came with my MAC and it plays 3...Qe6+ 80% of the time. In fact it plays 1...d5 80% of the time! The other 20% is 1...Nc6.

Feb-20-10		whiteshark: A woman will always sacrifice herself if you give her the opportunity. It is her favourite form of self-indulgence.

Mar-23-10		markwell: Really, no one gives a rat's butt about David Letterman.

Apr-12-10		wordfunph: Kasparov-Letterman click for larger view ...and 22.Qxf6+ end the game. happy birthday David!

Apr-21-10		pink gorilla: why does kasparov get to be white

Aug-20-12		Helios727: David would call Kasparov and have him state his move while David had to make his move immediately after. So it was Kasparov who had all day to think of his move while David made his move in a few seconds. This may have been to prevent David from using computers or getting help from other grandmasters.

Sep-16-12		Everett: Computers? 1990?

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Kasparov on Kasparov: Part I

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