★★★ INTRO ★★★

The 1995 Classical World Chess Championship was between 32 year old defending champion Garry Kasparov of Russia and 25 year old challenger Viswanathan Anand of India.

★★★ QUALIFICATIONS ★★★

With the PCA and FIDE split, the PCA held a qualifying tournament. 54 players participated in an 11 round swiss system tournament. The top 7 would qualify. They were Michael Adams and Viswanathan Anand (both 7.5/11) and Gata Kamsky, Vladimir Kramnik, Sergei Tiviakov, Boris Gulko and Oleg M Romanishin (all 7/11). 12 players missed out by half a point. (see Game Collection: PCA Qualifiers Groningen 1993 for games)

The above 7 were joined with Nigel Short, who lost to Kasparov recently. The quarterfinals were a best of 8, the semis best of 10 and the finals best of 12. If they were tied, unlimited 2-game rapid matches would be played until one had a lead.

In Round 1, Kamsky beat Kramnik 4 1/2-1 1/2 (see Game Collection: WCC Index (Kamsky-Kramnik 1994) for games), Short bested Gulko 6 1/2-5 1/2 after 4 tiebreak games, Adams beat Tiviakov 7 1/2-6 1/2 after 6 tiebreak games and Anand defeated Romanishin 5-2 (see Game Collection: WCC Index (Anand-Romanishin 1994) for games).

In Round 2, Kamsky whitewashed Short 5 1/2-1 1/2 and Anand crushed Adams by the same score.

In Round 3, Anand would defeat Kamsky 6 1/2-4 1/2 to earn the right to challenge Kasparov (see Game Collection: WCC Index (Anand-Kamsky 1995) for games).

★★★ CONDITIONS ★★★

The match took place in the World Trade Center in New York City. It would be a best of 20 (first to 10 1/2 points). If it was tied 10-10, Kasparov retains his title, and the prize money split. Game 1 was played on September 10th, 1995.

★★★ FINAL ★★★

Game 18 was played on October 16th, 1995. Entering the round, Kasparov had a 10-7 lead and needed just 0.5 in the next 3 rounds to take the title (already clinched title) and 2/3 of the $1,500,000 prize money. He drew with white.

★★★ MINI TABLE ★★★

Kasparov 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 0 1 1 1/2 1 1 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 (4 wins, 13 draws and 1 loss) <58.3% score>

Anand 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1 0 0 1/2 0 0 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 (1 win, 13 draws and 4 losses) <41.7% score>

★★★ OTHER LINKS ★★★

See also: Kasparov - Anand PCA World Championship Match (1995)

Head to Head Record Prior to 1995: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/ches... (8 wins, 3 draws and 3 losses in favour of Kasparov)

Previous "Classical" World Championship: Game Collection: 1993 Classical World Chess Championship

Previous "FIDE" World Championship: Game Collection: 1993 FIDE World Chess Championship

Next "Classical" World Championship: Game Collection: 2000 Classical World Chess Championship

Next "FIDE" World Championship: Game Collection: 1996 FIDE World Chess Championship