Classical World Chess Championship 1995
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The Classical World Chess Championship 1995 marked Garry Kasparov’s second title defense under the (PCA) following his split from FIDE in 1993. Representing Russia, Kasparov faced Viswanathan Anand of India, who had earned his challenge by winning the PCA Candidates Tournament. The match was held at the World Trade Center in New York City, providing a dramatic setting for this historic battle. In the end, Kasparov successfully defended his title.
Winner/Previous World Champion: Garry Kasparov
Born April 13, 1963, in Baku, Soviet Union (now Azerbaijan)
Garry Kasparov had already established himself as a chess icon. Renowned for his relentless fighting spirit, deep preparation, and intuitive tactical play, he had successfully defended his title multiple times. The 1995 championship was another test of his ability to adapt against world-class opposition, and he once again proved why he was considered one of the greatest players of all time.
«Chess is mental torture.» – Garry Kasparov
Challenger: Viswanathan Anand
Born December 11, 1969, in Madras, India (now Chennai)
Viswanathan Anand was renowned for his lightning-fast calculation, intuitive play, and exceptional versatility. A rising star from India, he had already established himself as one of the world’s strongest players, winning elite tournaments and demonstrating his ability to challenge the very best. His dynamic attacking style, combined with deep positional understanding, made him a dangerous opponent. By winning the PCA Candidates Tournament, Anand earned his first shot at the classical world title, overcoming strong contenders like Michael Adams, Oleg Romanishin, and Gata Kamsky.
Match Overview
Format and Prize Fund
The 1995 Classical World Chess Championship was a best-of-20-games match, with the first player to score 10.5 points declared the winner. The match followed classical time controls, with 40 moves in 2 hours, followed by additional increments.
The total prize fund was $1.5 million, making it one of the richest world championships at the time. Kasparov, as the defending champion, received $1 million, while Anand took home $500,000.
The match was played at the World Trade Center in New York City, inside a glass-enclosed, soundproof booth on the 107th floor, offering a spectacular backdrop for the historic battle.
Previous Encounters
Although this was the first world championship match between Kasparov and Anand, they had previously faced off in several elite tournaments. Anand had proven himself to be one of the few players capable of challenging Kasparov in individual games, but a long match format was an entirely different challenge.
«Attackers may sometimes regret bad moves, but it is much worse to forever regret an opportunity you let slip.» – Garry Kasparov
Final Score
| Players | W–L–D | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Garry Kasparov | 4 – 1 (13 draws) | 10½ |
| Viswanathan Anand | 1 – 4 (13 draws) | 7½ |
Classical World Chess Championship 1995 Games
Game 1
Game 2
Game 3
Game 4
Game 5
Game 6
Game 7
Game 8
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Game 10
Game 11
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Game 13
Game 14
Game 15
Game 16
Game 17
Game 18
Classical World Chess Championship 1995
Garry Kasparov, Russia
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Classical World Chess Championship 1995 Sources
Quote Sources
- PCA Press Conference (1995) – Statements from Kasparov and Anand on the match and preparation.
- New in Chess Magazine (1995 Issues 8 & 9) – Grandmaster insights and detailed reports.
General Sources
- Kasparov vs. Anand 1995 – Tactical analysis and match history. (kasparov.com)
- British Chess Magazine (November 1995 Issue) – Commentary from British grandmasters.
- The New York Times (October 1995) – Coverage of the championship and its impact.
- ChessBase (20-year Retrospective) – Reflection on the 1995 World Chess Championship. (chessbase.com)
Image Credits
📷 «Kasparov-25.jpg» – Copyright 2007, S.M.S.I., Inc. – Owen Williams, The Kasparov Agency, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
Sources, image credits, and attributions for this championship are listed on this page. For general information about the World Chess Champions timeline, visit the main page.