My Great Predecessors 5 Korchnoi & Karpov

Descripción

My Great Predecessors 5 Korchnoi & Karpov is rereleased in paperback and hardcover, enhanced in every way, with high-quality print, modern fonts and an upgraded visual style.

Part V covers the rise and reign of Anatoly Karpov (1975–1985). After becoming World Champion by default following Fischer’s abdication of the throne,

Karpov dominated the elite tournament circuit and defended his title in two high-profile matches against Viktor Korchnoi.

Shortlisted for the ECF Book of the Year 2006

My Great Predecessors 5

Garry Kasparov, the 13th World Chess Champion (1985–2000) “is the greatest player who’s ever lived” – Magnus Carlsen

This volume is devoted to the twelfth world champion Anatoly Karpov and his historic opponent Viktor Korchnoi, and to their staggeringly dramatic struggle for the chess throne,

which fi lled the unusual vacuum that had arisen after Fischer’s untimely departure. Another important topic – the openings revolution of the 1970s-1980s

– proved to be so extensive and interesting, that a separate, 6th volume, has had to be devoted to it. In the previous volume I put forward the provocative suggestion that,

Korchnoi & Karpov

in a match with Fischer, Karpov would have had real winning chances, and that the American champion declined to defend his title as he was afraid of losing to an unfamiliar opponent

– the leader of a new generation, a forceful professional, who had fully assimilated the lessons of his great predecessor.

Now I will try to justify this suggestion, by imagining a possible scenario of the match and carefully studying those unique qualities of Karpov, which enabled him for almost

a quarter of a century to be at the summit of chess or literally only a step away. This chapter turned out to be one of the longest in the entire series, which is not surprising:

My Great Predecessors 5

Karpov’s infl uence on the development of chess has been truly epochal – it was felt right to the end of the 20th century. But an enormous contribution has also been made by Korchnoi,

a legendary player, who has been able to accomplish the seemingly impossible – conquer time. Contrary to all the impressions about age limits, this great match and tournament

f i ghter reached his creative peak at the age of 47, surpassing the former champions Petrosian and Spassky.

In the history of chess he is the only challenger to have played de facto three matches for the world crown, in one of which, Baguio (1978), he all but became world champion.

And this when he was 20 years older than his opponent!

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