Longest Game: The Five Kasparov Karpov Matches for the World Chess Championship

On September 10, 1984, Anatoly Karpov and Garry Kasparov began their match for the World Chess Championship in Moscow, creating one of the fiercest rivalries in sports history. The two Ks played 5540 moves in 144 games over the next six years, with the first match becoming front-page news when FIDE President Florencio Campomanes stepped in to stop it. Garry Kasparov became the youngest World Chess Champion in history, hailed as a triumph of imaginative attacking chess and a political victory.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 368 pages
Publication date: 11 May 2021
Publisher: New In Chess

One of the most iconic rivalries in the history of sports unfolded on September 10, 1984, in Moscow when Anatoly Karpov and Garry Kasparov embarked on a battle for the World Chess Championship. The clash between the reigning champion and his audacious young challenger was eagerly anticipated by fans worldwide, but no one could have predicted the extraordinary events that would unfold over the next six years. In a series of five intense matches, these two chess virtuosos showcased their exceptional skills, engaging in a fierce battle for the highest title. The matches lasted an astonishing 14 months, with the two Ks playing a total of 5,540 moves in 144 games. The first match gained widespread attention when, after five months of intense competition, FIDE President Florencio Campomanes intervened to halt the match. The reasons for this decision remain shrouded in mystery to this day. However, a new match was promptly staged, and at the age of 22, Garry Kasparov emerged as the youngest World Chess Champion in history. His triumph was not only celebrated for his remarkable chess prowess but also as a political victory. Kasparov's victory over the old champion, a symbol of Soviet stagnation, was seen as a symbolic rejection of the status quo. He defended his title in three more matches, each one filled with dramatic twists and turns. Jan Timman, in his book "The Longest Game," provides a captivating account of this fascinating saga. He offers his personal insights and takes a fresh look at the games, shedding light on the strategies, tactics, and psychological dynamics that played a pivotal role in shaping this historic rivalry.

Weight: 692g
Dimension: 171 x 234 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9789056918118