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Anatoly Karpov
Karpov 
Photo copyright © 2006 by Milan Kovacs (www.milankovacs.com)  

Number of games in database: 3,694
Years covered: 1961 to 2022
Last FIDE rating: 2617 (2583 rapid, 2627 blitz)
Highest rating achieved in database: 2780
Overall record: +928 -214 =1259 (64.9%)*
   * Overall winning percentage = (wins+draws/2) / total games in the database. 1293 exhibition games, blitz/rapid, odds games, etc. are excluded from this statistic.

MOST PLAYED OPENINGS
With the White pieces:
 Sicilian (242) 
    B92 B81 B44 B84 B31
 King's Indian (192) 
    E62 E60 E81 E71 E63
 Queen's Indian (148) 
    E15 E17 E12 E16 E19
 Ruy Lopez (143) 
    C95 C84 C82 C80 C92
 Queen's Gambit Declined (125) 
    D30 D37 D35 D39 D38
 Grunfeld (104) 
    D85 D78 D73 D97 D87
With the Black pieces:
 Caro-Kann (259) 
    B17 B12 B10 B18 B14
 Queen's Indian (245) 
    E15 E12 E17 E19 E14
 Ruy Lopez (182) 
    C92 C77 C69 C95 C84
 Nimzo Indian (180) 
    E32 E54 E21 E42 E41
 Ruy Lopez, Closed (142) 
    C92 C95 C84 C98 C93
 Sicilian (88) 
    B46 B44 B47 B40 B42
Repertoire Explorer

NOTABLE GAMES: [what is this?]
   Karpov vs Kasparov, 1984 1-0
   Karpov vs Topalov, 1994 1-0
   Karpov vs Korchnoi, 1974 1-0
   Karpov vs Unzicker, 1974 1-0
   Timman vs Karpov, 1979 0-1
   Karpov vs Spassky, 1974 1-0
   Karpov vs Uhlmann, 1973 1-0
   Karpov vs Kasparov, 1985 1-0
   Karpov vs Korchnoi, 1978 1-0
   Kasparov vs Karpov, 1984 0-1

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: [what is this?]
   Karpov - Korchnoi World Championship Match (1978)
   Karpov - Korchnoi World Championship Match (1981)
   Karpov - Kasparov World Championship Match 1984/85 (1984)
   Karpov - Kasparov World Championship Match (1985)
   Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Rematch (1986)
   Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match (1987)
   Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match (1990)
   Karpov - Timman FIDE World Championship Match (1993)
   Karpov - Kamsky FIDE World Championship Match (1996)
   Karpov - Anand FIDE World Championship Match (1998)

NOTABLE TOURNAMENTS: [what is this?]
   Russian Championship (1970)
   URS-ch sf Daugavpils (1971)
   6th Soviet Team Cup (1968)
   World Junior Championship Final-A (1969)
   Bad Lauterberg (1977)
   USSR Championship (1976)
   Skopje (1976)
   Las Palmas (1977)
   Linares (1994)
   Baden-Baden Group A (1992)
   Trophee Anatoly Karpov (2012)
   Leningrad Interzonal (1973)
   Caracas (1970)
   Skopje Olympiad Final-A (1972)
   Tilburg Interpolis (1994)

GAME COLLECTIONS: [what is this?]
   Karpov Tournament Champion - I by chessgain
   Karpov Tournament Champion - I by amadeus
   Karpov Tournament Champion - I by enog
   Karpov Tournament Champion - I by docjan
   Kar pov 12th World Chess Champion by fredthebear
   Anatoly Karpov - My Best 300 Games by Incremental
   Anatoly Karpov - My Best 300 Games by jakaiden
   Anatoly Karpov - My Best 300 Games by Goatsrocknroll23
   Anatoly Karpov - My Best 300 Games by PassedPawnDuo
   Anatoly Karpov - My Best 300 Games by webbing1947
   Anatoly Karpov - My Best 300 Games by pacercina
   Karpov Tournament Champion - II by amadeus
   Karpov Tournament Champion - II by docjan
   Karpov Tournament Champion - II by chessgain

RECENT GAMES:
   🏆 Moscow Stars
   Karpov vs Morozevich (Jul-20-22) 1/2-1/2, rapid
   Morozevich vs Karpov (Jul-20-22) 1-0, rapid
   Morozevich vs Karpov (Jul-20-22) 1/2-1/2, rapid
   Karjakin vs Karpov (Jul-19-22) 1/2-1/2, rapid
   Karpov vs Karjakin (Jul-19-22) 1/2-1/2, rapid

Search Sacrifice Explorer for Anatoly Karpov
Search Google for Anatoly Karpov
FIDE player card for Anatoly Karpov

ANATOLY KARPOV
(born May-23-1951, 74 years old) Russia
PRONUNCIATION:
[what is this?]

Anatoly Yevgenyevich Karpov was born in the town of Zlatoust, located in the Southern Ural Mountains in the USSR. He learned to play chess at four years old and became a candidate master by age eleven. At twelve, Karpov was accepted into the chess academy presided over by Mikhail Botvinnik. Karpov won the World Junior Championship in 1969, thereby automatically gaining the title of International Master. In 1970, he became an International Grandmaster by virtue of finishing equal fourth at Caracas. A World Championship Candidate in 1973, he defeated Viktor Korchnoi in the Karpov - Korchnoi Candidates Final (1974) to earn the right to contest the Karpov - Fischer World Championship Match (1975) with World Champion Robert James Fischer. When FIDE declared Fischer forfeited, Karpov became the 12th World Chess Champion, the youngest since Mikhail Tal in 1960.

Karpov defended the championship twice against Korchnoi, in Karpov - Korchnoi World Championship Match (1978) and Karpov - Korchnoi World Championship Match (1981). After Karpov - Kasparov World Championship Match (1984/85), which was aborted with Karpov leading by two points over Garry Kasparov, he lost his title to Kasparov in Karpov - Kasparov World Championship Match (1985). He played three more closely contested matches with Kasparov, narrowly losing Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Rematch (1986), drawing Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match (1987) and again narrowly losing Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match (1990).

Karpov was thrice Soviet Champion: in 1976*, 1983** and 1988***, on the latter occasion sharing the title with Kasparov. In 1993 Karpov regained the FIDE title against Jan Timman in Karpov - Timman FIDE World Championship Match (1993), after Kasparov had broken away from the organization. He successfully defended his title against Gata Kamsky in Karpov - Kamsky FIDE World Championship Match (1996) and Viswanathan Anand in Karpov - Anand FIDE World Championship Match (1998). In 1999 FIDE changed the rules, deciding that the World Champion would be determined by an annual knockout tournament, and Karpov retired from championship competition.

At Linares (1994), Karpov achieved one of the greatest tournament successes ever, outdistancing Kasparov by 2.5 points, with a tournament performance rating of 2985. In May 1974, his rating reached 2700, only the second player, after Fischer, to do so. **

At age 61 he won the Trophee Anatoly Karpov (2012) rapid tournament on tiebreak over Vasyl Ivanchuk. A year later, at 62, he won the Cap D'Agde (2013).

Outside of chess, Karpov has been linked to the company Petromir, which claimed in 2007 to have found a large natural gas field.****

* [rusbase-1]; ** [rusbase-2]; *** [rusbase-3]

** http://www.olimpbase.org/Elo/Elo197...

**** Miriam Elder, The St. Petersburg Times, Issue # 1242, 2007.02.02, Link: http://sptimes.ru/index.php?action_... and The St. Petersburg Times, Issue # 1246, 2007.02.16, Link: http://sptimes.ru/index.php?action_...

Wikipedia article: Anatoly Karpov

Last updated: 2024-07-29 08:35:45

Try our new games table.

 page 1 of 148; games 1-25 of 3,694  PGN Download
Game  ResultMoves YearEvent/LocaleOpening
1. Karpov vs Nedelin 1-0361961RUS-ch JuniorsC97 Ruy Lopez, Closed, Chigorin
2. G Timoscenko vs Karpov 0-1531961RUS-ch JuniorsC10 French
3. B Kalinkin vs Karpov ½-½321961CheliabinskC97 Ruy Lopez, Closed, Chigorin
4. E Lazarev vs Karpov 0-1491961CheliabinskD55 Queen's Gambit Declined
5. A Shneider vs Karpov 0-1511961CheliabinskC34 King's Gambit Accepted
6. Shusharin vs Karpov 0-1351961CheliabinskC77 Ruy Lopez
7. Karpov vs Maksimov 1-0601961MagnitogorskE81 King's Indian, Samisch
8. V Kalashnikov vs Karpov ½-½621961ZlatoustE15 Queen's Indian
9. Karpov vs Budakov ½-½261961ZlatoustC99 Ruy Lopez, Closed, Chigorin, 12...cd
10. Karpov vs Gaimaletdinov 1-0601961ZlatoustC62 Ruy Lopez, Old Steinitz Defense
11. Karpov vs V Kalashnikov 1-0601961ZlatoustC68 Ruy Lopez, Exchange
12. Karpov vs Mukhudulin ½-½611961ZlatoustB56 Sicilian
13. Karpov vs Shefler 1-0431961ZlatoustC01 French, Exchange
14. Karpov vs Ziuliarkin 1-0351961ZlatoustA07 King's Indian Attack
15. Tarinin vs Karpov 1-0351961ZlatoustC97 Ruy Lopez, Closed, Chigorin
16. Zadneprovsky vs Karpov 0-1651961ZlatoustE27 Nimzo-Indian, Samisch Variation
17. Korchnoi vs Karpov ½-½301961SimulC45 Scotch Game
18. Karpov vs S Belousov 1-0401961BorovichiC07 French, Tarrasch
19. Larinin vs Karpov  1-0351961ZlatoustC97 Ruy Lopez, Closed, Chigorin
20. Aranov vs Karpov 0-1711962CheliabinskC10 French
21. Karpov vs Karin 1-0391962CheliabinskB06 Robatsch
22. Karpov vs Tarinin 1-0531962CheliabinskC73 Ruy Lopez, Modern Steinitz Defense
23. Kolishkin vs Karpov ½-½391962CheliabinskC86 Ruy Lopez, Worrall Attack
24. Manakov vs Karpov 0-1261962KoyenskC84 Ruy Lopez, Closed
25. V Kalashnikov vs Karpov ½-½361962ZlatoustC97 Ruy Lopez, Closed, Chigorin
 page 1 of 148; games 1-25 of 3,694  PGN Download
  REFINE SEARCH:   White wins (1-0) | Black wins (0-1) | Draws (1/2-1/2) | Karpov wins | Karpov loses  

Kibitzer's Corner
< Earlier Kibitzing  · PAGE 213 OF 254 ·  Later Kibitzing>
May-23-13  brankat: Happy Birthday Mr.Karpov!
May-23-13  mohitm: Happy Birthday to Karpov!
My favorite player of all time. Hoping he becomes FIDE President. :)
May-23-13  andrewjsacks: Happy birthday to an often under-appreciated World Champion.
May-23-13  waustad: I only wish I really understood what I saw in his beautiful games.
May-23-13
Premium Chessgames Member
  Troller: <mohitm> You said everything I wanted to!
May-23-13
Premium Chessgames Member
  ketchuplover: What brankat posted most recently.
May-23-13
Premium Chessgames Member
  Richard Taylor: He was in his time ca 1974 the greatest player including Fischer.
May-23-13  kasparvez: Happy Birthday to the greatest ambassador of our sports! While in terms of playing strength he was up there on the Olympus with Fischer and Kasparov, what distinguished him from most was his friendly disposition and innate humility. Long live the great Tolya!!
May-23-13  Tal7777777: Happy birthday Mr. Caro-Kann!
May-23-13  Raginmund: LONG LIVE Great Master!!
Unique in style... great profilaxy player...
genius in long plans
beautiful games
gems of chess
May-23-13  nok: Probably also the greatest rapid player of all time.
May-23-13  Everett: What differing styles, Karpov and Kasparov had. Kasparov's opponents saw some of it coming and couldn't stop it. Karpov's opponents thought everything was fine and then had no good moves.
May-23-13
Premium Chessgames Member
  offramp: I like many of Karpov's games. He's one of the greatest at slow manoeuvring. But Kasparov noticed a persistent failure to engage in calculation. Laziness, in a way, from 1985 onwards.
May-23-13
Premium Chessgames Member
  northernfox: <Everett> That is a nice succinct summary of a whole lot of chess talent. Thanks
May-23-13  chesswar1000: Happy Birthday Mr. God of Strategy.
May-23-13  Everett: < offramp: I like many of Karpov's games. He's one of the greatest at slow manoeuvring. But Kasparov noticed a persistent failure to engage in calculation. Laziness, in a way, from 1985 onwards.>

Big whoop. All this shows is how amazing Karpov's assessment of position was. Seems hardly anyone save Kasparov could take advantage of his laziness, and not too often in match play.

I mean, it must be frustrating to be such a beast in all things chessic and still barely beat someone who didn't work too hard at the game. Thank goodness for Kasparov, and everyone, that Karpov was a bit of an idler, by most accounts.

May-23-13  brankat: As M.Tal used to say, often it is hard to understand Karpov's moves/ideas. By the time it sinks in, it's too late :-)

Similar with Petrosian.

May-24-13  RookFile: Karpov's prime was 75 to 85. The man was champ and won everything. If you want to compare players, you have to put that version of Karpov up against them.
May-24-13  Lambda: I'd say Karpov's peak would be about 1973-1990, and he was still almost as good (or as good, but not quite so consistently) in 1996. For an absolute peak, I'd say the 1987 match.
May-24-13  Poisonpawns: One of the tragedies of Karpov(although he was a truly great champion)is that against Kasparov he would often lose from better positions usually due to a one move error.I think although Karpov was probably a better player;Kasparov figured out that Karpov could get tired, and used this to his advantage. Recall the Karpov-Korchnoi match, when Karpov lost 3 games in a row and nearly lost the match.The end of the 84/85 match. What about this one?Kasparov vs Karpov, 1985 or this one 35.Rc6?? Karpov vs Kasparov, 1987 or Karpov vs Kasparov, 1985 and Kasparov vs Karpov, 1986 Kasparov`s formula for Karpov was to create tactically complex scenarios.Karpov is forced to work very hard;although Karpov may have a better position he is very tired.Kasparov continues pressure.Karpov blunders.Kasparov wins. This is my opinion after analyzing these games over the years.I honestly think that Karpov was the "better player" and possessed a higher understanding of the game.However;other factors are at play in these matches, and physicality/health is one of them.
May-24-13  parisattack: <Poisonpawns...I honestly think that Karpov was the "better player" and possessed a higher understanding of the game.>

Me, too. Kasparov probably had a better view of the 'chess geometry' - but I think Karpov had a stronger understanding of chess per se. I have long ranked Karpov third on my Top 10 list behind Fischer, Capablanca and ahead of Kasparov.

All very subjective - especially when one is 800 ELO weaker :) but still a fun topic.

May-24-13  Nerwal: <Poisonpawns>I've looked at the 12 games played in Lyon in 1990. I did not see much a difference in styles. Kasparov held Karpov quite easily in endgames and technical positions while Karpov was not bad in tactical positions. But I was amazed to count that Karpov held the initiative in 8 of them : games 13, 14, 15, 17, 21, 22, 23, and 24. How many of them he won ? Only two, games 17 and 23 where Kasparov played thoroughly badly and basically collapsed. Kasparov held the initiative in only four games (games 16, 18, 19 and 20), but scored 3.5/4, and the draw was just a gift. Kasparov was just much better in making the most of his chances (where Karpov liked to play his "vague" moves, he would be much more concrete and agressive) and much more efficient with the initiative.

In earlier matches it's true Karpov sometimes blundered in complex positions. But Kasparov also sometimes blundered in simple endgames. At Seville both players were tired and Kasparov also blundered badly in complex positions in games 5 and 23.

May-24-13
Premium Chessgames Member
  offramp: The worst thing that happened to Karpov was winning Kasparov vs Karpov, 1985. He went on to play another 6 or 7 Ruy Lopezes and lost the lot. If only he had discovered the Caro-Kann earlier!
May-24-13  diceman: <offramp:If only he had discovered the Caro-Kann earlier!>

He was playing it in 1974 vs Spassky.

May-24-13  Nerwal: <The worst thing that happened to Karpov was winning Kasparov vs Karpov, 1985. He went on to play another 6 or 7 Ruy Lopezes and lost the lot. If only he had discovered the Caro-Kann earlier!> He has the Caro-Kann in his repertoire. He played in 1974 against Spassky (and in 1987 against Sokolov prior to Seville). And he lost some Caro-Kann in tournament games with Kasparov too. Maybe he was concerned with the idea to pick sound openings offering equal chances rather than groveling with openings which were thought to be slightly inferior. That's maybe the only reason why he didn't pick the Berlin defence before Kramnik. The idea to willingly enter slightly worse positions with no hope to equalize just for the sake of drying up the game in the hope to hold sounded foolish back then.
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