(The annotations to this game, by A. E.

Karpov, are from Sto pobednykh partii (Fizkultura i Sport,

1984). The translation from the original Russian is by Douglas Griffin.)

Karpov – Korchnoi
8th match-game, World Championship, Baguio City, 3rd August 1978

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0–0 Nxe4 6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 d5 8.dxe5 Be6 9.Nbd2 Nc5
10.c3 g6
XIIIIIIIIY
8r+-wqkvl-tr0
7+-zp-+p+p0
6p+n+l+p+0
5+psnpzP-+-0
4-+-+-+-+0
3+LzP-+N+-0
2PzP-sN-zPPzP0
1tR-vLQ+RmK-0
xabcdefghy
Naturally, in preparation for the match, the closest attention was paid to the Open Variation of
the Spanish Game in all of its branches. The main bet was made on the move 9.c3, but other paths
were also analysed. According to theory, in the present position Black should play 10...d4, and in
all the opening reference books there is given the game Capablanca-Lasker (St Petersburg, 1914),
where White after 11.cxd4 Nxd4 12.Nxd4 Qxd4 13.Bxe6 Nxe6 14.Qf3 Rd8 15.a4 gained an
advantage. Admittedly, it was subsequently shown that the move 15...Bb4 (not played by Lasker)
leads to equality.

In the position after 10...d4 grandmaster I. Zaitsev, my second, discovered a remarkably

surprising idea (11.Ng5!), which was tried in the next game in which I played with White.
Korchnoi, encountering the present continuation (9.Nbd2) for the first time in my practice, wished
to ‘adjourn’ the theoretical debate at the board, in order to test at home all of the variations, and
resorts to the artificial (for this variation) flank development of the king’s bishop.

11.Qe2
In order to demonstrate the dubious nature of the continuation chosen by Black, it is essential to
act resolutely, since if White delays and presents Black with the necessary tempi, he will have time to
develop his pieces and organise pressure on the e5–pawn. 11.Bc2 Bg7 12.Nd4, with the same idea
of sacrificing a pawn as was carried out in the game, also looked tempting. But I think that the
move which I played deserves preference.
11...Bg7
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8r+-wqk+-tr0
7+-zp-+pvlp0
6p+n+l+p+0
5+psnpzP-+-0
4-+-+-+-+0
3+LzP-+N+-0
2PzP-sNQzPPzP0
1tR-vL-+RmK-0
xabcdefghy
12.Nd4! Nxe5
The acceptance of the sacrifice is practically forced, since 12...Qd7 13.Nxc6 Qxc6 14.Nf3 and
Nf3–d4 gives White a positional advantage, while 12...Nxd4 13.cxd4 reinforces the e5–pawn and
highlights the deficiencies in Black’s pawn structure on the queen’s flank.

13.f4
A march of the f-pawn typical of such situations, which gains in force on account of the fact that
the black king is stranded in the centre.

13...Nc4 14.f5 gxf5 15.Nxf5 Rg8

XIIIIIIIIY
8r+-wqk+r+0
7+-zp-+pvlp0
6p+-+l+-+0
5+psnp+N+-0
4-+n+-+-+0
3+LzP-+-+-0
2PzP-sNQ+PzP0
1tR-vL-+RmK-0
xabcdefghy
During the game some of the commentators present in Baguio tended to believe that Black ought
to have retreated the bishop to f8. It is easy to recommend such a move, but difficult to play it in a
critical game. Black all the same does not plan to castle short and hopes that the rook can be useful
on the half-open g-file. After 15...Bf8 White could have continued, as in the game, 16.Nxc4 dxc4
(or 16...bxc4) 17.Bc2 with the dark-squared bishop going to e3 or f4 or even to g5 (in the case of
...Qd7), preventing long castling.

16.Nxc4
In the presence of several tempting continuations the chessplayer has to solve a difficult task –
how to choose the strongest of them, so as not to ‘sell oneself short’. It was possible to play 16.Nf3
or 16.Bc2, but it is necessary to hurry with the developent of the queen-side pieces, while in passing
eliminating one of the black knights, which are very actively placed. I thought over the move in the
text for a long time, in order to calculate the possible variations as far ahead as possible.

16...dxc4
Korchnoi still hoped to castle long and therefore did not want to spoil the pawn position on the
queen’s flank in the case of 16...bxc4. Then too White would have continued 17.Bc2, intending
b2–b3 (or b2–b4). The capture with the d-pawn opens the central file and secures for Black the
position of the knight at d3. Were Black to have time to evacuate his king, his chances could even
be preferable.

17.Bc2 Nd3
Closing the f-file and the diagonal b1–h7. One more move, and Black will carry out his idea.

18.Bh6!
A move that was possibly not accounted for by my opponent in his calculations. 18...Bxh6 loses
immediately on account of 19.Nxh6 Rg7 (or 19...Rf8) 20.Rxf7! Rxf7 21.Qxe6+ Re7 22.Qc6+ Kf8
23.Rf1+ Kg7 24.Qf6#.

18...Bf8 19.Rad1 Qd5 20.Bxd3 cxd3 21.Rxd3 Qc6

Losing by force is 21...Bc5+ 22.Kh1 Qc6 in view of 23.Ng7+, while on 21...Qc5+ the bishop
returns with tempo – 22.Be3, and if 22...Qe5, then 23.Qf3, or 22...Qc6 23.Rfd1, and 23...Bxf5
cannot be played on account of 24.Bg5+ with mate on the d8–square.
XIIIIIIIIY
8r+-+kvlr+0
7+-zp-+p+p0
6p+q+l+-vL0
5+p+-+N+-0
4-+-+-+-+0
3+-zPR+-+-0
2PzP-+Q+PzP0
1+-+-+RmK-0
xabcdefghy
22.Bxf8
 Simplest and strongest. Bad now is 22...Rxf8 on account of 23.Ng7+ Ke7 24.Qf2 or 22...Kxf8
23.Nd4; therefore an intermediate check is required.

22...Qb6+ 23.Kh1 Kxf8 24.Qf3

White takes control of the long diagonal (h1–a8) and increases the pressure along the f-file.

24...Re8
It was still possible to prolong the resistance, playing 24...Rb8. Then there follows 25.Nh6 Rg7
26.Qf6 c5 27.Re1 (the recommendation of B. Larsen, 27.Rfd1, encounters a tactical retort:
27...Bd5! 28.Qxb6 Bxg2+ 29.Kg1 Be4+ 30.Kf2 Rxb6) 27...Re8 (27...Qc6 28.Rd8+ Rxd8 29.Qxd8+
Qe8 30.Qd6+ Qe7 31.Qxe7+ Kxe7 32.Nf5+) 28.Nf5 Rg6 29.Qh8+ Rg8 30.Qxh7 etc.

The cramped position of the black king and the encircling of his pieces creates the preconditions
for a variety of mating threats.

25.Nh6 Rg7
On any other move of the rook there follows 26.Qxf7+, mating.
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8-+-+rmk-+0
7+-zp-+ptrp0
6pwq-+l+-sN0
5+p+-+-+-0
4-+-+-+-+0
3+-zPR+Q+-0
2PzP-+-+PzP0
1+-+-+R+K0
xabcdefghy
26.Rd7! Rb8
Or 26...Bxd7 27.Qxf7+ Rxf7 28.Rxf7#.

27.Nxf7 Bxd7 28.Nd8+!

Black resigned.
(The annotations to this game, by A. E. Karpov, are from Sto pobednykh partii (Fizkultura i Sport,
1984). The translation from the original Russian is by Douglas Griffin.)

Korchnoi – Karpov
13th match-game, World Championship, Baguio City, 17th August 1978

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.d4 Be7 5.Bg5 h6 6.Bh4 0–0 7.Rc1
For the first time in an encounter with me Korchnoi employs this move-order. Previously he
had played 7.e3. The idea consists in the fact that White does not hurry to determine the position
of his king’s bishop, having a choice between the classical set-up with 7.e3 and the fianchetto of the
bishop. To all appearances, this was prepared specially for the match. Further development of the
Tartakower-Makogonov-Bondarevsky variation occurred in the following match for the World
Championship.

7...b6 8.Bxf6 Bxf6 9.cxd5 exd5 10.g3 c6

The text move looks solid. Black does not hurry to quickly advance ...c7–c5 and first completes
development. But he is obliged to attentively watch out for the possible pawn thrusts b2–b4 and
e2–e4 by the opponent.

11.Bg2 Bf5
The bishop is well placed on the diagonal ...h7–b1: it controls the squares e4 and c2, preventing
the doubling of White’s major pieces on the c-file.

12.0–0 Qd6 13.e3 Nd7

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8r+-+-trk+0
7zp-+n+pzp-0
6-zppwq-vl-zp0
5+-+p+l+-0
4-+-zP-+-+0
3+-sN-zPNzP-0
2PzP-+-zPLzP0
1+-tRQ+RmK-0
xabcdefghy
14.Ne1
Aiming to transfer the knight to a more active position. For the time being the advance...c6–c5
does not give rise to any fears for White, since it weakens the d5–pawn.

To begin the preparation of the standard move for such positions, b2–b4 with 14.a3 would have
been premature, since the white pieces are still not mobilised for operations on the queen’s flank.

14...Rfe8 15.Nd3 g6 16.Nf4 Bg7

Possibly, 16...h5 ought to be played, in order to prevent the move by the opponent in reply.
However, I did not like the fact that after 17.h4 the pawn structure on the king’s flank is fixed, while
on the queen’s wing White’s prospects are preferable. And I removed the bishop to g7, so as to
then play ...Nf6 followed by ...Bg4, ...g6–g5 and ...h6–h5. White’s reply renders these plans
unrealisable.

17.g4 Be6 18.h3

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8r+-+r+k+0
7zp-+n+pvl-0
6-zppwql+pzp0
5+-+p+-+-0
4-+-zP-sNP+0
3+-sN-zP-+P0
2PzP-+-zPL+0
1+-tRQ+RmK-0
xabcdefghy
18...Nf8
Deserving attention is 18...Nf6, after which Black would have had in reserve the move ...h6–h5,
and also the possibility of establishing the knight at e4, having taken with the rook after the
exchange at e6.

It must be admitted that beginning at the 18th move I played without a definite plan and
gradually fell into a difficult position.

19.Nxe6
The exchange is practically forced, since in the case of the withdrawal of the bishop to d7 the
move...f7–f5 would have been unpleasant for White.

19...Nxe6
Interesting was 19...fxe6, reinforcing the d5–pawn and gaining the possibility of playing, in some
cases, ...c6–c5 or ...e6–e5.

20.Qd3 Rad8
Since there is no apparent prospect of the advance...c6–c5, the rook is doing nothing at d8.
Black ought to have thought of the transfer of the queen to the king’s flank (...Qd6–e7–h4) and the
attack on White’s advanced pawns with ...h6–h5 or ...f7–f5.
XIIIIIIIIY
8-+-trr+k+0
7zp-+-+pvl-0
6-zppwqn+pzp0
5+-+p+-+-0
4-+-zP-+P+0
3+-sNQzP-+P0
2PzP-+-zPL+0
1+-tR-+RmK-0
xabcdefghy
21.Rc2
All is quiet on the king’s flank, and it is natural that White should proceed to operations on the
queen’s.

21...Nc7
21...c5 will not do in view of 22.dxc5 Nxc5 23.Qxd5 Qxd5 24.Nxd5, and the b2–pawn is
defended. Although with a delay, here too the above-mentioned plan ought to have all the same
been carried out: 21...Qe7 22.Rfc1 Qh4 and if 23.Ne2, then 23...Ng5 or 23...c5 with counter-play.
Black continues to adhere to passive tactics.

22.Na4 Qd7 23.b3 Re6

The rook is clumsily placed here. I was afraid to defend the c6–pawn along the c-file on account
of the opposition of the heavy pieces and the possible capture at d5. Deserving attention is
23...Nb5 with the idea of playing ...Nd6, and on b3–b4 – ...b6–b5 and ...Nc4.

24.Nc3 Rd6
The diagonal ...f8–a3 should not have been blocked: from f8 the bishop could have prevented the
move b3–b4. At the present moment 24...c5 was possible, but after 25.Ne2, Rfd1 and Nf4 the
black c- and d-pawns would have proved to be under strong pressure.

25.b4 Bf8
Played belatedly.

26.Ne2 b5
Tempting appears 26...Ra8 with the threat of...a6–a5, but after 27.Rb1 White takes aim at the
squares b6 and b7.

27.Qb3! Na8 28.a4 bxa4

 For the construction of a solid defence Black lacks the single move ...a7–a6, after which the
knight is in time to consolidate itself on the square c4. Now, however, on 28...a6 there follows
29.a5. The knight proves to be ‘offside’, while its white opponent arrives at c5 via c1–d3.

29.Qxa4 Nb6 30.Qb3 Rb8 31.Nf4 Nc4 32.Qa4

In the event of 32.Qc3 Black had time to organise play against the b4–pawn: 32...Qb7 33.Nd3
Rd7.
XIIIIIIIIY
8-tr-+-vlk+0
7zp-+q+p+-0
6-+ptr-+pzp0
5+-+p+-+-0
4QzPnzP-sNP+0
3+-+-zP-+P0
2-+R+-zPL+0
1+-+-+RmK-0
xabcdefghy
32...f5
I considered the move 32...Rb5, but it seemed to me that after the exchange of a- and b-pawns
White all the same retains a positional advantage: 33.Ra2 a5 34.bxa5 Rxa5 35.Qc2 Qa7 36.Rfa1.
But if Black had decided on the move ...f7–f5, then it was better to play it after preliminary
exchanges on the queen’s flank, continuing, in the above-variation, 35...Rxa2 36.Qxa2 f5.

Here Korchnoi had little time remaining and my last, somewhat impulsive, move is probably
connected with this.

33.gxf5 Qxf5 34.Qxa7

The most exact. In the case of delay – 34.Ra2 – Black has time to defend the pawn with the
move 34...Rb7 and could have transferred the rook to the king’s flank along the 7th rank.

34...Rxb4 35.Ra2 Qc8

Black has to return with the heavy pieces, in order to cover the weakened rear.

36.Rc1 Rb7 37.Qa4

I was more afraid of the move 37.Qa6 with an unpleasant pin, while the exchange of rooks would
have led to a difficult endgame. In the case of 37.Qa8, 37...Rb8 would have been mistaken on
account of 38.Qa6 with gain of tempo, but Black could have replied 37...Qc7.

37...Rf7
 XIIIIIIIIY
8-+q+-vlk+0
7+-+-+r+-0
6-+ptr-+pzp0
5+-+p+-+-0
4Q+nzP-sN-+0
3+-+-zP-+P0
2R+-+-zPL+0
1+-tR-+-mK-0
xabcdefghy
38.Rxc4!
The most resolute. For the time being White has only one pawn for the exchange, but all of his
pieces are active, the black king is open and the c6–pawn is weak. The position looks very
dangerous.

38...dxc4 39.Qxc4 Qf5 40.Nd3 Bg7

XIIIIIIIIY
8-+-+-+k+0
7+-+-+rvl-0
6-+ptr-+pzp0
5+-+-+q+-0
4-+QzP-+-+0
3+-+NzP-+P0
2R+-+-zPL+0
1+-+-+-mK-0
xabcdefghy
Here the game was adjourned, and Korchoi thought for 40 minutes over the sealed move.

White has several continuations at his disposal, and this made our analysis more complicated.
But on the day of resumption Korchnoi unexpectedly took a time-out, presenting not only himself,
but also the opponent, with two additional days to figure the position out.

41.Ra7
The most obvious and logical move, and it is difficult to understand why Korchnoi had thought
so long. We also examined the following plausible moves and possible continuations, in which no
forced win for White was apparent, but neither was a clear-cut draw for Black:
 – 41.f4 Rdd7 42.Ne5 Bxe5 43.dxe5 Kg7 44.Kh2 Qd3 45.Qc5 Qb3 46.Ra6 Rd2 47.Qxc6 Qc2
– 41.Nb4 Kh7 42.Nxc6 Qb1+ 43.Kh2 Rdf6 44.f4 Rb7 45.Ra8 h5 46.Ne5 Rb2 47.Qd5 Qc1;
– 41.Nc5 Kh7 42.Ne4 Re6 43.Ra5 Qxa5 44.Qxe6 Qc7.

41...Rdf6
The endgame arising after 41...Qe6 42.Qxe6 Rxe6 43.Ra6 is very unpleasant in view of the threat
of 44.d5.

42.Rxf7
If 42.Rb7, then 42...Bf8 (but not 42...Kh7 43.e4) 43.Rxf7 Rxf7 44.Ne5 Qxf2+ 45.Kh1 Bd6
46.Nxf7 Qxf7 47.Qxc6 Qc7, and after the exchange of queens the endgame with opposite-coloured
bishops is drawn.

42...Rxf7 43.d5 Be5!

The bishop transfers onto the diagonal ...b8–h2, where it will block the advance of the c-pawn.
The exchange of this bishop (44.Nxe5 Qxe5) facilitates Black’s task.

44.dxc6 Kg7 45.Be4

XIIIIIIIIY
8-+-+-+-+0
7+-+-+rmk-0
6-+P+-+pzp0
5+-+-vlq+-0
4-+Q+L+-+0
3+-+NzP-+P0
2-+-+-zP-+0
1+-+-+-mK-0
xabcdefghy
One gains the impression that in analysis Korchnoi had not foreseen the regrouping of the black
pieces; he had spent almost all of his remaining time and had evidently decided to ‘hold out’ until
the time control with neutral moves, not fundamentally changing the position.

45...Qg5+ 46.Kf1 Bd6 47.Bd5 Re7 48.Bf3 h5 49.Bd1 Qf5 50.Ke2 Re4 51.Qc3+ Qf6 52.Qb3
Qf5
It had become noticeable that my opponent was upset with the moves since the resumption and
hesitated between forcing a draw and seeking a path to a win, which already there is not. As a
precaution, I took aim at the h3–pawn.

53.Qb7+
 A draw was still to be achieved with the move 53.Qc3+.

53...Re7 54.Qb2+ Kh7 55.Qd4 Bc7 56.Qh4?

XIIIIIIIIY
8-+-+-+-+0
7+-vl-tr-+k0
6-+P+-+p+0
5+-+-+q+p0
4-+-+-+-wQ0
3+-+NzP-+P0
2-+-+KzP-+0
1+-+L+-+-0
xabcdefghy
The time-control move is made, but it proves to be fatal.

56...Re4
In order to save the queen, White has to decisively weaken the position of his king.

57.f4 Bb6 58.Bc2

Nor is White saved by 58.Ne5 – 58...Rxe3+ 59.Kd2 Qe6.

58...Rxe3+ 59.Kd2 Qa5+ 60.Kd1 Qa1+ 61.Kd2 Re4

White resigned.
(The annotations to this game, by A. E. Karpov, are from Sto pobednykh partii (Fizkultura i Sport,
1984). The translation from the original Russian is by Douglas Griffin.)

After the 4th game of the match had quickly ended in a draw, since White did not achieve any
advantage at all, I temporarily abandoned the given branch of the Open Variation of the Spanish
Game. In the 6th game the move 1.c4 also did not bring any success. But meanwhile, the whole
time I undersood that the variation could be improved and that I ought to return to it. On one
occasion, when I had already gone to bed and put out the light, an idea came into my head. I got
up, and tested it at the board – the idea appealed to me. For a long time we tested it, ‘polished’ it.
But when the 13th game was adjourned in a dangerous position and Korchnoi took a time-out on
the day of its resumption, not without justification hoping to gain the lead, the decisive blow was
delivered.

Karpov – Korchnoi
14 match-game, World Championship, Baguio City, 19th August 1978
th

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6 5.0–0 Nxe4 6.d4 b5 7.Bb3 d5 8.dxe5 Be6 9.c3 Bc5
10.Nbd2 0–0 11.Bc2 Bf5 12.Nb3 Bg4
After the match, supporters of the Open Variation returned to the old continuation 12...Bg6,
since theory had still not found a reply to the Baguio invention.

13.h3 Bh5
Black does not choose the sharpest continuation (13...Bxf3).
XIIIIIIIIY
8r+-wq-trk+0
7+-zp-+pzpp0
6p+n+-+-+0
5+pvlpzP-+l0
4-+-+n+-+0
3+NzP-+N+P0
2PzPL+-zPP+0
1tR-vLQ+RmK-0
xabcdefghy
14.g4!
In all of the opening reference books it is written that after 11...Bg6 Black has sufficient
counter-play. And indeed, if a position of a middle-game type is played, then the open position of
the white king gives reason for such an assessment. But into my head had come the very idea that
it is possible to transpose into an endgame where the presence of opposite-coloured bishops does
decrease, but rather increases White’s advantage.
14...Bg6 15.Bxe4 dxe4 16.Nxc5 exf3 17.Bf4!
The immediate exchange of queens (17.Qxd8) leads to the loss of a tempo, and Black has time to
arrange counter-play against the e5–pawn. The whole subtlety of the idea consists in the fact that
after the move played Black is forced to exchange queens, which gives White two extra tempi.

17...Qxd1
The lunge 17...Qh4 does not achieve its aim in view of 18.Qxf3, defending the h3–pawn and
attacking the c6–knight. After 17...Qe7 White wins a tempo with 18.Qd5 Na5 19.b4 Nc4
20.Rfe1, and the f3–pawn falls, just as it does after 17...Qe8 18.Re1.

18.Raxd1 Nd8!
Having encountered a surprise, Korchnoi finds the best continuation. Of course, Black cannot
tolerate the excellently-placed white knight on c5. Transposition to an endgame with
opposite-coloured bishops promises some chances of defence. But, of course, I had also foreseen
this.

19.Rd7 Ne6 20.Nxe6 fxe6 21.Be3

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8r+-+-trk+0
7+-zpR+-zpp0
6p+-+p+l+0
5+p+-zP-+-0
4-+-+-+P+0
3+-zP-vLp+P0
2PzP-+-zP-+0
1+-+-+RmK-0
xabcdefghy
21...Rac8
Strangely enough, the exchange of one pair of rooks (21...Rf7) only weakened the defensive
possibilities. After 22.Rfd1 White has sufficient room in order to keep a rook on the 7th rank.

22.Rfd1
Also deserving attention is the immediate 22.Bc5, so as on 22...Rfe8 to play 23.Re1, and on
22...Rfd8 or 22...Rf7 – 23.Rfd1, but the consequences of the move 22...Rf4 were unclear to me.

22...Be4
The transfer of the bishop to d5, attempting to break the co-ordination between the white rooks,
is the only possibility of defence. If 22...h5, then 23.gxh5 Bxh5 24.Re7 with the invasion of the
second rook.

23.Bc5 Rfe8
This is the whole point: now the black rook does not arrive either at f4 or at f7 with the offer of
an exchange of rooks, but brings under control the e7–square, and the white rook becomes restricted
on the 7th rank.

24.R7d4 Bd5 25.b3 a5

Once again the only possibility of trying to create counter-play; otherwise there is nothing with
which to oppose the approach of the king and the advance of the king-side pawns.

26.Kh2 Ra8
On 26...a4 there would have followed 27.c4 bxc4 28.bxc4 Bc6 29.a3, and on 29...Rb8 – 30.Bb4.

27.Kg3 Ra6
More consistent was 27...a4, and in reply to 28.c4 possible is 28...bxc4 29.bxc4 Bc6 (White has
no time for the move 30.a3 on account of 30...Ra5, and the e5–pawn falls) as well as 28...Bc6, in
order to exchange as many pawns as possibke, although in this case too White has a clear positional
advantage.

Korchnoi’s move is associated with an incorrect plan.

28.h4 Rc6
A continuation of the same incorrect plan. Korchnoi had clearly under-estimated the
opponent’s idea, revealed on the following move.
XIIIIIIIIY
8-+-+r+k+0
7+-zp-+-zpp0
6-+r+p+-+0
5zppvLlzP-+-0
4-+-tR-+PzP0
3+PzP-+pmK-0
2P+-+-zP-+0
1+-+R+-+-0
xabcdefghy
29.Rxd5!
For the rook White immediately obtains bishop and pawn, and in addition, the breakaway black
pawn at f3 and the pawns on the queen’s flank also become objects of attack.
29...exd5 30.Rxd5 Rce6 31.Bd4 c6 32.Rc5
XIIIIIIIIY
8-+-+r+k+0
7+-+-+-zpp0
6-+p+r+-+0
5zpptR-zP-+-0
4-+-vL-+PzP0
3+PzP-+pmK-0
2P+-+-zP-+0
1+-+-+-+-0
xabcdefghy
It is possible that Korchnoi had under-estimated the strength of this move. Had the rook gone
to d7, then Black would have had available the very strong reply 32...c5, exchanging one of White’s
main trumps - the e5–pawn. Instead now White’s rook takes up a very strong position. White
wants to disunite the queen-side pawns with a2–a4, while the f3–pawn is already under attack.

32...Rf8
It was difficult to decide on the continuation 32...Rd8 33.Kxf3 Rd5 34.Rxd5 (or 34.Kf4 Rxc5
35.Bxc5) 34...cxd5. There was a lot of debate about this position. I believe that the advance of
White’s king-side pawns should ultimately bring him victory, although it is not as simple as it
appears at first sight. In particular, after 35.Ke3 Rh6 36.h5 g6 the tempting 37.Kf4 will not do in
view of 37...gxh5 38.Kg5 h4!. I intended to continue 35.a3, so as to create a fortress on the queen’s
flank with b3–b4 and only after this to advance the king-aide pawns, for instance: 35.a3 g6 36.Kg3
Re8 37.f4, and if 37...Rf8, then 38.e6. There was also the plan associated with the moves h4–h5
and, after...g6xh5, f4–f5, creating two connected passed pawns.

All the same the attempt to open the game on the king’s flank was Black’s only chances, since the
passive defence to which Korchnoi condemns himself with his last move does not leave any hopes at
all of salvation.

33.a4!
First and foremost objects of attack should be fixed on the queen’s flank, in order to tie down the
black rooks to their defence and to deflect their attention from the operations on the opposite sector
of the board.

33...bxa4 34.bxa4 g6 35.Rxa5 Ree8

In the case of 35...h5 White, with the move 36.Ra6, ties the opponent to the defence of the
c6–pawn and prepares the advance of the a-pawn.
36.Ra7
The most clear-cut path to the realisation of the advantage – to advance the a-pawn and to
prevent the entry of the black king into the game. On 36...Ra8 there follows 37.a5.

36...Rf7 37.Ra6
A little trick, forcing the black rook to occupy a passive position. 37...c5 will not do in view of
38.Bxc5 Rxe5 39.Ra8+ Kg7 40.Bd4.

37...Rc7 38.Bc5
Once the bishop transfers to d6, the position should be considered won.

38...Rcc8 39.Bd6 Ra8 40.Rxc6 Rxa4 41.Kxf3 h5 42.gxh5

The sealed move. I was faced with resuming two games, and naturally, the main attention was
given to the complicated 13th game. Here, however, some small technical difficulties are still do be
overcome. But Korchnoi clearly considered the position to be hopless, and the resumption passed
without excitement.

42...gxh5 43.c4 Ra2 44.Rb6 Kf7 45.c5 Ra4 46.c6 Ke6

If 46...Rxh4, then 47.c7 Rc4 48.Rb8 h4 49.Kg2 etc.

47.c7 Kd7 48.Rb8 Rc8

In the hope of 49.e6+? Kxe6 50.Rxc8 Kxd6 and the possible rook endgame with f- and h-pawns.

49.Ke3 Rxh4 50.e6+!

XIIIIIIIIY
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1+-+-+-+-0
xabcdefghy
Black resigned in view of 50...Kxd6 51.Rxc8 Rc4 52.Rd8+ Kxc7 53.e7 or 50...Kxe6 51.Bg3!.
(The annotations to this game, by A. E. Karpov, are from Sto pobednykh partii (Fizkultura i Sport,
1984). The translation from the original Russian is by Douglas Griffin.)

This game was played at an exceptionally important moment of the match. Two consecutive
victories in the match, one of them coming completely unexpectedly during the adjourned session,
had given me a tangible advantage in the score. Korchnoi, though discourage, all the same exerted
pressure. Having gained an advantage in the opening, he painstakingly considered each of his
moves, so as not to miss a single possibility, and fell in to time trouble, which reduced his efforts to
nothing. The game concluded with a unique mating finale.

My opponent was broken for at least the next ten games.

Korchnoi – Karpov
17 match-game, World Championship, Baguio City, 26th August 1978
th

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.d4 Bb4 4.e3 0–0 5.Bd3

Undoubtedly, a move-order that was thought out well in advance of the game. In the 7th game
of this match Korchnoi went in for the classical scheme of piece development in the Nimzo-Indian
Defence for the first time in his encounters with me. Ten games later the invitation is repeated –
some sort of ‘catch’ can be expected.

5...c5 6.d5 b5!?

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1tR-vLQmK-sNR0
xabcdefghy
In the 7th game this seemed unexpected and in practical terms was fully justified. The
theoretical basis for the outwardly risky pawn sacrifice can be summed up. Black breaks up the
opponent’s pawn centre, obtains active bishops and some prospects of an attack on the king in
connection with the break in the centre. All the same White’s position remains solid, and Black
should reckon with the possible advance of the e-pawn.

7.dxe6 fxe6
 A long time after the match, theoretical work was carried out showing that Black gains still
greater prospects after 7...bxc4 8.exf7+ Kh8 9.Bxc4 d5.

(Translator’s note: This idea was tested in the game Bagirov-Averbakh, USSR Cup First League,
Jurmala 1980.)

8.cxb5 a6
Inspired by the ideas of the Volga Gambit, although the position is of course is of an altogether
different type. Black tries to open lines on the queen’s wing and develops his pieces with tempo,
and in addition, after the opening of the a-file White is deprived of the possibility of immediately
expelling the bishop from its position at b4 with a2–a3.

The move 8...Bb7 played in the 7th game forces White to bring the knight to d3, while now this
knight can occupy a more flexible position.

9.Nge2 d5 10.0–0 e5
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In this consists Black’s idea. In previous games played with the given variation, the weakness of
the light squares, especially the square e6, told. Therefore in preparation for the continuation of
the theoretical duel it was decided to delay determining the position of the light-squared bishop for
as long as possible, the more so since on the c8 square the bishop can be considered a participant in
the game.

11.a3
Clearly, 11.e4 will not do in view of 11...c4 and 12...d4.

11...axb5
Opening the a-file, Black indirectly defends his bishop.

12.Bxb5
 XIIIIIIIIY
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12...Bxc3
A responsible decision, which had to be taken at the board. In preliminary analyses it had been
considered that the black bishop would be retained, since it is needed for the attack on the king’s
flank (after ....Ba5–c7 and...e5–e4). But on completely concrete considerations this plan, as I saw it
during the game, cannot be implemented.

On 12...Be6 the reply 13.Na4 is unpleasant. In the case of 12...Ba5 White plays 13.Bd2,
creating the threat of b2–b4, after which the opening of the a-file now proves to be in White’s
favour. The most logical appears to be 12...Qb6. If 13.Nxd5, then 13...Qxb5 14.Nxf6+ gxf6
15.Qd5+ Kh8 16.Qxa8 Bb7 17.Qa7 Ba5! 18.a4 (18.Nc3 Bxc3 19.bxc3 Bxg2 20.Kxg2 Rg8+, and
wins) 18...Qc6 19.f3 Bb6; or 18.f3 (instead of 18.a4) 18...Nc6 19.a4 Qb4 20.Bd2 Nxa7 with
advantage for Black. All the same, on 12...Qb6 White simply replies 13.Bd3 (13...c4 14.Nxd5).
To what has been said it should be added that 12...c4 will not do in view of 13.e4 and Black’s
position collapses.

All the same thought should have been given to saving the dark-squared bishop from exchange, or
retaining the tension with 12...Bb7. In my preliminary calculations I had under-estimated the
following move by the opponent.

13.bxc3! Ba6
Possibly, it was better to continue 13...Bb7. Unfortunately, 13...c4 will not do in view of 14.a4
Ba6 15.Ba3 Rf7 16.f4!, and if 16...Qb6, then 17.Rf3 with the initiative for White. The exchange
of bishops attracted me by the fact that after this White is left with a bishop that is blocked in. But
Black lacks the advantage in development that is needed in order to be able to exploit the weakening
of the light squares.

14.Rb1
On 14.c4 there would have followed 14...d4 (14...dxc4 is clearly worse in view of 15.Bxa6 – but
not 15.Qxd8 Rxd8 16.Bxa6 Nxa6 with possibilities of ...Rd3 and ...Ne4 – 15...Rxa6 16.Bb2 Nc6
17.Rc1 Qd3 18.Qc2) 15.f4 d3 16.Ng3 exf4 with sufficient counter-play for Black.

14...Qd6
If 14...Nbd7 then 15.e4 Bxb5 16.Rxb5 followed by a3–a4, Ba3 and f2–f4.

15.c4 d4
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16.Ng3
In the case of 16.f4 d3 17.Ng3 (17.fxe5 dxe2 18.Qxd6 exf1=Q+ 19.Kxf1 Ne4+ 20.Qxf8+ Kxf8)
17...exf4 18.Rxf4 White has the advantage. On 16.f4 I proposed to reply 16...Nc6, but 17.fxe5
Nxe5 18.exd4 Nxc4 19.dxc5 (19.Qb3 Qd5 20.dxc5 Qxc5+ 21.Kh1 Bxb5 22.Qxb5 Qxb5 23.Rxb5
Nxa3) 19...Qxc5+ 20.Qd4 is also in White’s favour. Probably, on 16.f4 deserving attention is
16...Bb7.

16...Nc6 17.a4
After 17.Nf5 Qe6 18.Bxc6 Qxf5 19.Bxa8 Qxb1 Black already achieves a decisive advantage.

17...Na5
The planned play against the c4–pawn is too slow. Possibly, the bishop ought to have been
removed to b7, and the knight to e7, trying to create piece play in the centre and on the king’s flank.

18.Qd3 Qe6 19.exd4 cxd4

19...exd4 appears prospectless, since White attacks the c5–pawn with 20.Ba3, and then occupies
the e-file. The move in the text I considered to be practically forced, but after the reply by White
that follows it became clear that strategically, I had lost the fight. There remained only to hope for
resourcefulness in defence and the pursuit of tactical chances.

20.c5 Rfc8
If 20...Bxb5, then after 21.axb5 Qd5 22.Ba3 e4 23.Qc2 White easily deals with the black
d-pawn, while there is no way to fight against the two white connected passed pawns.
21.f4!
A perfectly-timed blow against the centre. Had White occupied himself with the defence of the
c-pawn with 21.Ba3, then after 21...Nd5 22.Rbe1 Nf4 23.Qe4 Nc4 24.Bb4 Nd5 Black gained
active counter-play. 21.Ne4 would have been mistaken on account of 21...Nxe4 22.Qxe4 Bb7,
also with the initiative for Black.
XIIIIIIIIY
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21...Rxc5
In the case of 21...Bxb5 22.axb5 (also possible is 22.Rxb5 Nc6 23.fxe5) 22...Rxc5 23.fxe5 Qxe5
(23...Rxe5 24.b6!; but not 24.Qxd4 Rd5 25.Qe3 Qxe3+ 26.Bxe3 Nc4 with equality) 24.Bd2 with a
clear advantage for White.

22.Bxa6
Black gained chances of equality after 22.fxe5 Rxe5 (22...Bxb5 leads to the variations given
above) 23.Qxd4 Bxb5 24.Rxb5 Rxb5 25.axb5 Nb3 26.Qe3 Qxe3+ 27.Bxe3 Rb8 28.b6 Nd5. But
on 22...Rxe5 deserving attention is 23.Bxa6, hindering for Black the possibility of the capture at a6
with the queen, which took place in the game. (Translator’s note: After 23...Qxa6 White continues
24.Rb8+ Re8 (24...Kf7 25.Rxf6+!) 25.Qxa6 Rxa6 26.Rxf6!, winning.)

22...Qxa6 23.Qxa6 Rxa6 24.Ba3

Thus, White has returned the extra pawn that he was offered in the opening, hoping to obtain an
attack on the opponent’s king, despite the exchange of queens and the limited material remaining on
the board.

24...Rd5 25.Nf5
If White is enticed by the checks, then after 25.Rb8+ Kf7 26.Rf8+ Ke6 (of course, not 26...Kg6?
27.f5+ Kg5 28.Bc1+ with a probable mating finale) 27.f5+ Kd7 28.Rf7+ Kc8 Black’s king runs
away, while his two passed pawns remain.

25...Kf7 26.fxe5 Rxe5 27.Rb5

 The capture of the d-pawn (27.Nxd4) led to a lessening of the tension and to drawish
simplification after 27...Nc4. Naturally, White hopes for an exchange of rooks, when the a-pawn
moves to the b-file with gain of tempo, and its further advance is supported by the white pieces.
The black rook has practically no squares for retreat along the e-file, but the tactical play continues.
XIIIIIIIIY
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27...Nc4!
It is no wonder that, far in advance, Korchnoi had overlooked this move. It is seemingly
impossible in view of 27...Nc4 28.Nd6+, but on this there follows 28...Rxd6 29.Bxd6 Rxb5 30.axb5
Nxd6, while on 29.Rxe5 there is 29...Nxa3.

28.Rb7+ Ke6
Once again the only move, since 28...Kg6 leads to mate after 29.Rxg7+. All of Black’s hopes lie
in activity, although I had seen that after the strongest 29.Bf8, it would not be easy to come up with
the next move.

29.Nxd4+ Kd5 30.Nf3

At this point Korchnoi was in time trouble, and naturally wanted to simplify the position. He
gives up two pieces for a rook, hoping to take all of the opponent’s pawns, after which the black
knights will feel uncomfortable. But I had no choice.

30...Nxa3 31.Nxe5 Kxe5 32.Re7+

‘Gaining’ a move in time trouble, and in addition ensuring the retention of the a-pawn, since the
black rook will need to defend the knight at f6.

32...Kd4 33.Rxg7
Possibly, it was worth giving a further check on d1, but this meant renouncing the win of the
h-pawn. After 33.Rd1+ Kc3 34.Rxg7 Rxa4 White has only a rook and one pawn against two
knights, while the attack on the king is unlikely to achieve its aim. Here I sensed that a crisis was
approaching, and that better times could possibly lie ahead for Black.
33...Nc4 34.Rf4+
Apparently, Black could already achieve a draw even after 34...Kd3, but then 35.Rf7, and
ultimately the h-pawn would have to be exchanged for the a-pawn. So it is better to do this
immediately, but in return to activate another piece.

34...Ne4! 35.Rd7+
My opponent fails to sense the impending danger and drives the king to where it was itself headed.
After 35.Rxh7 Black would still have had to overcome some technical difficulties in achieving a
draw.

35...Ke3 36.Rf3+ Ke2 37.Rxh7 Ncd2 38.Ra3

Even giving up rook for knight, White could still not have lost. Kochnoi’s flag was hanging,
and I quickly played the next move, threatening mate on the 1st rank.

38...Rc6 39.Ra1
In time trouble it was difficult to decide which pawn to advance, and therefore the desire to
defend the 1st rank, which Korchnoi quickly did, is natural. The only continuations leading to a
draw consisted in the advance of the g-pawn, one or two squares. A mating finish followed on the
moves of the h-pawn – 39.h4 Rc1+ 40.Kh2 Nf1+ 41.Kh3 Nf2#.
XIIIIIIIIY
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39...Nf3+!
White resigned in view of 40.gxf3 Rg6+ 41.Kh1 Nf2#.
(The annotations to this game, by A. E. Karpov, are from Sto pobednykh partii (Fizkultura i Sport,
1984). The translation from the original Russian is by Douglas Griffin.)

I included this game in the book not because I count it among the best or most interesting, but
because victory in it brought one of the six points necessary in order to defend the title of
Champion.White employed a novelty in a well-known variation and gained some advantage, but
then played in routine, univentive fashion, permitting the opponent to first achieve equality, and
then to gain a symbolic advantage, which unexpectedly brought victory.

Korchnoi – Karpov
27 match-game, World Championship, Baguio City, 28th September 1978
th

1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e5 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 Bb4 5.Nd5

In the 9th game of the Candidates final match (Moscow, 1974) Korchnoi continued 5.Bg2.
The move in the next was not new in his practice; it was played in one of the games of the
Korchnoi-Petrosian semi-final match from the same Candidates’ cycle (Odessa, 1974), where the
ex-World Champion retreated the bishop to c5, leading to very complicated play. Theory
previously considered that the exchange of knights leads to an approximately level position, but
Korchnoi had prepared a novelty, which shook the generally-accepted assessments.

5...Nxd5 6.cxd5 Nd4 7.Nxd4

The move 7.Nxe5 is impossible in view of 7...Qe7 8.f4 (8.Nd3 Nf3#) 8...d6 9.Nd3 (bad is
9.Qa4+ b5 10.Qxb4 Nc2+) 9...Qe4 with advantage for Black. White does not achieve real results
after 7.Bg2 Nxf3+ 8.Bxf3 0–0 9.0–0 d6 or 9...Bc5.

7...exd4
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8.Qc2!
Here is the prepared novelty. Now hasty castling leads to the loss of a pawn (8...0–0 9.Qc4).
After the usual order of moves – 8.Bg2 – Black has time to withdraw the bishop to e7 and to play
...c7–c5. Now he has only one reply.

8...Qe7 9.Bg2
If 9.Qxc7, then 9...Qe4 with advantage for Black.

9...Bc5 10.0–0 0–0 11.e3

In the event of 11.d3 White will experience the same difficulties in advancing the e-pawn as Black
will with the c-pawn. Of course, White does not intend to exchange at d4; he tries to force Black
to take at e3, and in this case both dxe3 and fxe3 give White the better game. His queen’s bishop
will be brought to b2, whereas Black’s king’s bishop proves to be limited on the b6–square.
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11...Bb6
Clearly, Black ought to wait with this unforced retreat. But here I could not decide which plan
to choose: 11...d6 did not appeal to me, since it makes the advance of the c-pawn exceptionally
difficult. I removed the bishop so that after ...c7–c5 the c6–square would be defended twice.
Deserving attention is 11...a5, in order to limit the opponent’s activity on the queen’s flank. I
rejected this move on theoretical grounds, since after the planned ...c7–c5 there appears a ‘hole’ at
b5. But in the absence of knights from the board, this is not so terrible.

12.a4
A natural reaction. Now 12...a5 is not good on account of 13.b3 with threats of Bc1–b2 or
Bc1–a3. At first I intended to play 12...c5, but after 13.a5 Bd8 14.exd4 cxd4 15.b3 Black does not
have time to reorganise for the defence of the d4–pawn. Therefore he has to determine the
position in the centre and exchange at e3.

12...dxe3 13.dxe3
Also possible was 13.fxe3 followed by placing bishop and queen on the diagonal a1–h8, with
prospects of an attack on the king. But Korchnoi prefers to limit himself to a spatial advantage
with pressure being exerted in the centre.
13...a5 14.Bd2 Bc5
Black must hurry to cover the c-file with the bishop and defend it two-fold with pawns, in order
to cover the weakness of the backward c-pawn.

15.Bc3
It seems to me that White should have preferred the preparation of the break b2–b4 to his
intended plan with the advance of the e-pawn, and to this end played 15.Rfb1 or 15.Rab1.

15...d6 16.Qd2 b6 17.Rfe1 Bd7

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18.e4
Somewhat premature. This advance would have gained in force after useful prophylactic moves,
such as, for instance, b2–b3, h2–h3 and Kh2 and the inclusion of the queen’s rook. Ultimately,
Black would have had to play ...Rac8, ...c7–c6, exchanging the light-squared bishops and leaving
himself with a weak d-pawn and passively-placed major pieces. After the move in the text there
appears the possibility of freely carrying out...c7–c6 and retaining the light-squared bishop, which
eases the defence.

18...Rfe8!
The simplest. Seemingly, the move 18...c6 could not be delayed, but then the reply 19.e5
would have been extremely unpleasant. Black’s calculation consists in the fact that this move is
now not so terrible: 19.e5 dxe5 20.Bxe5 (20.d6 cxd6 21.Bxa8 Rxa8 with advantage for Black, while
if 20.Rxe5, then 20...Qd6 followed by ...f7–f6 and the exchange of rooks on the e-file) 20...Bb4
21.Bc3 Qd6 with approximate equality.

19.Kh1
As previously, at White’s disposition was the move b2–b3 with the favourable manoeuvre
Qd2–b2. Admittedly, Black is already prepared for this and has freed the f8–square for the queen
with the aim of defending the g7–pawn.
19...c6!
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20.e5
All the same 20.dxc6 retained a slight advantage for White. However, Korchnoi wants more
and after a 45–minute thought decides on the break in the centre. But the danger for Black has
already passed.

20...cxd5 21.Bxd5 Rad8 22.Qf4 Qf8 23.Qf3

While this is a clearly bad move.

23...dxe5 24.Bxe5
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24...Bg4!
Being in time trouble, Korchnoi had clearly overlooked this reply. The exchange of
light-squared bishops is now to Black’s advantage, while it cannot be avoided. The game could
have ended prettily in the case of 25.Qe4 Bxf2 26.Rf1 Rxd5 27.Qxd5 Rxe5 28.Qxe5 Bf3#.

25.Qxg4 Rxd5 26.Bc3

 26.Bxg7 fails in view of 26...Rxe1+ 27.Rxe1 Qxg7 28.Re8+ Bf8.

26...Red8
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The possession of the d-file secures Black a minimal advantage, and had White’s time shortage
not been acute, the game would have quickly ended in a draw.

27.Kg2 Bd4 28.Rac1 g6 29.Qe2 Qd6 30.Bxd4 Rxd4 31.Qb5 Rb4 32.Re8+ Kg7 33.Rxd8 Qxd8
34.Qe2 Qd5+!
Clearly, White had reckoned only on 34...Rxa4 35.Qe5+ Qf6 36.Qxf6+ Kxf6 37.Rc6+.

35.f3
A final mistake – the weakening of the 2nd rank.

35...Rxa4 36.Rc2 Rd4 37.Qe3 b5 38.h4 h5 39.Qe2 a4 40.Qe3 b4 41.Rf2 Rd3

XIIIIIIIIY
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1+-+-+-+-0
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The sealed move. White resigned, without resuming play.
(The annotations to this game, by A. E. Karpov, are from Sto pobednykh partii (Fizkultura i Sport,
1984). The translation from the original Russian is by Douglas Griffin.)

After the 27th game the score became 5:2 (play continued until six victories) and, it seemed, the
match was coming to an end. I had no doubt at all in my victory, and this excessive confidence
clearly enfeebled me. Which is already not to mention the enormous degree of purely physical
tiredness. And when there was only one more step to be taken until overall victory, something
unforseen occurred. Korchnoi, possibly reconciled to defeat, played without inhibition and with
desperate efforts levelled the score – 5:5! There was much to shake off. But all the same I
managed to lose the burden of the vexing mistakes, tried to relax properly and in the 32nd game was
in the mood to give battle in decisive fashion.

I played the final game quietly and confidently, and having gained an overwhelming position,
impressed upon myself “Just do not hurry!”, understanding that the desire to realise an advantage as
quickly as possible had more than once betrayed me in this match.

Karpov – Korchnoi
32 match-game, World Championship, Baguio City, 17th October 1978
nd

1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Be2 0–0 6.0–0

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6...c5
The choice of one or another variation takes on a mainly psychological character. The main
events, as a rule, occur at later stages, and it is precisely these that have a decisive influence on the
result of the majority of battles. The present game is good confirmation of this.

Korchnoi is true to his favourite tactic – to change the opening pattern as often as possible. In
the 18th game, in which the Pirc-Ufimtsev Defence was also played, the discussion unfolded along
the lines of the main variation: 6...Bg4 7.Be3 Nc6. Then I employed a novelty – 8.Qd3?!.
Clearly, in order to avoid surprises on this occasion, Korchnoi turns abruptly to the side. In
principle, the whole variation after 7.dxc5 dxc5 is assessed by theory as slightly favourable to White.
But I could have supposed that the Challenger had prepared some forcing improvement or other in
Black’s play, and therefore, quite naturally, avoided the exchanging continuation.

7.d5 Na6
Black makes a bet on flank operations. It is difficult to say which of the two plans – this, or the
one associated with the undermining move ...e7–e6 – should be given preference.

8.Bf4
White deploys his forces with the aim of preparating the thematic break in the centre, e4–e5.

8...Nc7 9.a4 b6 10.Re1 Bb7 11.Bc4

The prophylactic 11.h3, with the idea of retaining the bishop on the diagonal h2–b8, could have
proved to be a significant delay. After 11...Qd7! 12.Bc4 Rad8! 13.Qd3 e5 highly double-edged
play begins.
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11...Nh5?
A loss of valuable time. Instead of standing still, essential was 11...Qd7, aiming after 12.e5 dxe5
13.Nxe5 Qf5 to provoke tactical complications at any cost, for instance: 14.Nxg6 fxg6 15.Bxc7
Ng4.

Clearly, on 11...Qd7 White should reply 12.Qd3, retaining slightly the better chances, but on the
whole the battle develops in very tense fashion. As it seems to me, Korchnoi’s partiality for solid
positions did him a disservice on this occasion.

12.Bg5 Nf6 13.Qd3

Now, in all directions, it is much more difficult for Black to gain counter-play.

13...a6 14.Rad1 Rb8

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15.h3
At this moment I did not risk anything. The in principle consistent continuation, which
increases White’s spatial advantage and increases his pressure, is 15.e5!?. For instance: 15...dxe5
16.Nxe5 b5?! 17.axb5 axb5 18.Bxb5! Ncxd5 19.Nxd5 Bxd5 (19...Qxd5 20.Qg3 Qa2 21.Bc4 Qxb2
22.Nxf7) 20.c4 Ba8 (20...Be6 21.Nc6 Qxd3 22.Nxe7+) 21.Nd7. In another situation I would
certainly have played this way, but in this game there was no way that I could afford to ‘sell myself
short’ and put my entire initiative at stake.

15...Nd7
Black cannot try the opponent’s patience for long and prevents the threatened breakthrough in
the centre.

16.Qe3
Occupying one more important highway and at the same time nipping in the bud counter-play
such as 16...b5 17.axb5 Nb6.

16...Ba8 17.Bh6 b5 18.Bxg7 Kxg7 19.Bf1 Nf6 20.axb5 axb5

The pawn offensive on the queen’s flank without the fianchettoed bishop at g7 reminds one of an
infantry attack without proper preparation by the artillery.

21.Ne2 Bb7
Black’s main trouble lies in poor communications. Supposing Black managed to carry out the
move...e6–e5, the transfer of force from one region of the board to another would have taken place
much more freely. But the move 21...e5 (or 21...e6) leads after 22.dxe6 Nxe6 23.Ng3 to a serious
weakening of the pawn structure. Therefore the reserves on one flank have to be transferred to the
other along the 8th rank literally at a crawl, and this is not familiar and accessible to all chess pieces.

22.Ng3 Ra8 23.c3 Ra4 24.Bd3 Qa8

Scornful of White’s threats, the queen moves to the edge of the board at that moment when the
clouds have gathered over the black king. Possibly, Korchnoi under-estimated the danger?
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25.e5!
A dagger-blow, reinforced by the appropriate arguments: 25...Nfxd5 26.Nh5+ (or 26.Nf5+)
26...gxh5 (26...Kh8 27.Qh6 Rg8 28.Ng5) 27.Qg5+ Kh8 28.Qf5.

25...dxe5 26.Qxe5
26.Qxc5 would have been mistaken on account of 26...Ncxd5, and the white queen proves to be
in danger.

26...Ncxd5 27.Bxb5 Ra7

The only way to at least temporarily maintain the material balance.

28.Nh4
After this manoeuvre, more than just Black’s king is threatened. In many cases, no less
unpleasant is the prosaic 28.c4. Thus, on 28...Bc6 possible is 29.Bxc6 Qxc6 30.c4 Nb4 31.Rd6
exd6 32.Nh5+ gxh5 33.Qg5+ Kh8 34.Qxf6+ Kg8 35.Nf5, while on 28...Qb8, 29.c4 Qxe5 30.Rxe5
led to a hopeless endgame for Black.

28...Bc8 29.Be2!
You will agree that in this move there is something attractive. Henceforth, all of White’s pieces
will be acting consistently and accurately. After the game I was told that it was this move which at
long last brought calm to the souls of my comrades.

29...Be6 30.c4 Nb4 31.Qxc5 Qb8 32.Bf1 Rc8 33.Qg5 Kh8 34.Rd2 Nc6 35.Qh6!
It becomes clear that White has not only an extra pawn, but in addition also a strong initiative.
Black literally breaks apart under the strain: he must repulse the attack on the king while attentively
keeping an eye on the queen’s flank.

35...Rg8 36.Nf3 Qf8 37.Qe3 Kg7?

 A decisive mistake, after which resistance becomes pointless. 37...Rb7 could have still prolonged
the struggle.

38.Ng5 Bd7 39.b4 Qa8

Black’s time-trouble agony is coming to an end. Already nothing can help him.

40.b5 Na5 41.b6

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My final move in the match. The saying ‘all roads lead to Rome’ was never more suitable than
to this position. Korchnoi sealed the move

41...Rb7
but on the following day his second brought news of the resignation of the game.