FIDE World Chess Championship 1984 – 1985

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FIDE World Chess Championship 1984 – 1985 was held in Moscow, Soviet Union, between reigning champion Anatoly Karpov and challenger Garry Kasparov, both representing the Soviet Union. The match took place in the Hall of Columns in the House of Unions. Karpov led 5–0 after 27 games, but Kasparov staged a dramatic comeback to 5–3 before FIDE President Florencio Campomanes controversially terminated the match after 48 games. Karpov remained champion, but the chess world would never be the same. This remains the longest world championship match in history.

FIDE World Chess Championship 1984 - 1985, Anatoly Karpov, Garry Kasparov

📷 Garry Kasparov vs Anatoly Karpov world chess championship 1985
Owen Williams / The Kasparov Agency: (Copyright 2007, S.M.S.I., Inc.) (License: CC BY-SA 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons

Reigning Champion: Anatoly Karpov

Born: May 23, 1951, Zlatoust, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union (now Russia)

Anatoly Karpov entered the match as world champion since 1975. Renowned for his deep positional understanding and surgical precision, he had successfully defended his title twice against Viktor Korchnoi. In the early stages of the 1984 match, Karpov dominated with clinical positional play, building a commanding 5–0 lead. However, the match’s extreme duration began to affect his physical condition, and he was unable to score the decisive sixth win. As Kasparov gained momentum, the match was controversially halted. Despite retaining the title, the decision cast a shadow over his legacy. Karpov’s resilience and classical style continued to inspire future generations.

«Chess is everything: art, science, and sport.» — Anatoly Karpov

Challenger: Garry Kasparov

Born: April 13, 1963, Baku, Soviet Union (now Azerbaijan)

At just 21 years old, Garry Kasparov became the youngest world championship challenger in history. Known for his dynamic style and rigorous home preparation, he qualified by defeating Alexander Beliavsky, Viktor Korchnoi, and Vasily Smyslov in the 1983 Candidates cycle. Initially overwhelmed and falling behind 0–5, Kasparov changed strategy—playing solidly and testing Karpov’s endurance. His first victory in Game 32 broke the spell, and by Game 47, he had narrowed the gap to 5–3. Though denied a full comeback by the match’s abrupt end, Kasparov’s fighting spirit won him admiration worldwide. This was the beginning of a legendary rivalry.

«Chess is mental torture, but it is also an art and a science.» — Garry Kasparov

Match Overview

🗓️ Match Dates: September 10, 1984 – February 15, 1985
📍 Location: Moscow, Soviet Union (Hall of Columns, House of Unions)
✅ Format: First to win 6 games (draws not counted), no limit on total games
⏱️ Time Control: 40 moves in 2.5 hours, then 16 moves per hour, no adjournments after move 40
💰 Prize Fund: 1.9 million Swiss francs (2/3 to Karpov, 1/3 to Kasparov)
📄 Main Sponsors: Soviet Ministry of Sports, State Television, Aeroflot

Historical and Cultural Context

This world championship took place during a tense Cold War period, when the Soviet Union championed chess as a symbol of intellectual supremacy. The 1984 match, played entirely in Moscow, unfolded amid high political tension and intense global attention. The unprecedented length of the match—nearly five months—raised questions about fairness, stamina, and FIDE’s governance. Campomanes’ controversial decision to end the match without a result sparked outrage and debate. To many, this was more than a sporting contest; it was a clash of generations, ideologies, and playing styles.

FIDE World Chess Championship 1984 - 1985, Anatoly Karpov (RUS), Garry Kasparov (RUS)

World Chess Championship 1984 – 1985 Games

Game 1

Game 2

Game 3

Game 4

Game 5

Game 6

Game 7

Game 8

Game 9

Game 10

Game 11

Game 12

Game 13

Game 14

Game 15

Game 16

Game 17

Game 18

Game 19

Game 20

Game 21

Game 22

Game 23

Game 24

Game 25

Game 26

Game 27

Game 28

Game 29

Game 30

Game 31

Game 32

Game 33

Game 34

Game 35

Game 36

Game 37

Game 38

Game 39

Game 40

Game 41

Game 42

Game 43

Game 44

Game 45

Game 46

Game 47

Game 48