FIDE World Chess Championship 1986

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FIDE World Chess Championship 1986 was held in London and Leningrad, Soviet Union. In this high‑stakes match, reigning champion Garry Kasparov (representing the Soviet Union) faced challenger Anatoly Karpov (also representing the Soviet Union) in their third championship encounter. Kasparov retained his title in a fiercely contested battle characterized by innovative time management and strategic brilliance.

FIDE World Chess Championship 1986

📷 Lovuschka: Lovuschka (License: CC BY-SA 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons

Winner: Garry Kasparov

Born: April 13, 1963, in Baku, Soviet Union

Born in Baku, Garry Kasparov emerged as a revolutionary force in modern chess. Entering the 1986 championship as the reigning champion—having secured his title in 1985 by dethroning his long‑time rival—Kasparov was renowned for his dynamic attacking style, deep opening preparation, and exceptional ability to calculate complex variations. His fearless, aggressive play and relentless work ethic transformed the sport, setting new standards for creativity and precision. Off the board, his uncompromising dedication and psychological fortitude symbolized a new era in chess, one marked by both innovation and a drive to outthink his opponent at every move. The 1986 championship further consolidated his legacy as one of the most dominant and influential players in chess history.

«I play aggressively because I believe in my ability to calculate and outthink my opponent.» – Garry Kasparov

Opponent: Anatoly Karpov

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

A former World Champion, Anatoly Karpov was celebrated for his classical, positional style and unerring endgame technique. Entering the 1986 championship, Karpov was determined to reclaim his title by leveraging his deep theoretical knowledge and methodical play. His calm, measured approach contrasted sharply with Kasparov’s fiery tactics, making him a formidable adversary. Despite his best efforts to counter the innovative strategies of his rival, his traditional style ultimately could not overcome Kasparov’s relentless pressure. Karpov’s legacy endures as a paragon of strategic depth and classical technique in chess, admired for his disciplined preparation and the refined elegance of his moves.

«Chess is a sport. The main objective is to win.» – Anatoly Karpov

Match Overview

🗓️ Match Dates: November 25 – December 12, 1986
📍 Location: London and Leningrad, Soviet Union
✅ Format: Best of 24 games
⏱️ Time Control: 150 minutes for the first 40 moves, followed by 60 minutes for every additional 16 moves; games lasting over five hours were adjourned and resumed the next day
💰 Prize Fund: Sponsored model (exact figures not officially disclosed, though significant sponsorship was reported)
📄 Main Sponsors: Detailed sponsorship information was documented in contemporary news sources

FIDE World Chess Championship 1986, Garry Kasparov (RUS), Anatoly Karpov (RUS)

FIDE World Chess Championship 1986 Games

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Game 24

FIDE World Chess Championship 1986

Garry Kasparov, Soviet Union

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FIDE World Chess Championship 1986 Sources

Quote Sources

General Sources

Image Credits

📷 Plaque at the Park Lane Hotel in London commemorating the first half of World Chess Championship 1986
Lovuschka: Lovuschka (License: 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.