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Kasparov vs Karpov 1975-85 by Garry Kasparov pubished by Everyman Chess has won the ECF Book of the Year award.

Kasparov vs Karpov 1975-85 by Garry Kasparov pubished by Everyman Chess has won the ECF Book of the Year award.

The book is the second in the series 'Garry Kasparov on Modern Chess'. The first dealt with the development of opening theory, this volume delves into the first two of the five world title matches between Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov.

The analysis to the seventy two games, 48 played in the match that was halted by Florencio Campomanes, and the 24 in the return, which Kasparov won, is fascinating but the detailed chronology of the political intrigue I found much more compelling. Kasparov refers to the period between the first match and the second, in which the Soviet authorities considered disqualifying him, as 'the 49th game'. Kasparov won the real 49th game in style, see below.

In the words of the judges - Ray Edwards, Julian Farrand and David Friedgood:

"The book can be read on several levels - as a dramatic story, or as providing insights into opening theory, or as great games enhanced by deep analytical annotations. Kasparov succeeds triumphantly in illuminating every aspect of this historic struggle. He is establishing as formidable a reputation as an author, as he did as a player."

G Kasparov - A Karpov

KK2 Moscow (1) 1985

Nimzo Indian

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nf3 c5 5.g3!

(The Romanishin System was one of Kasparov's surprise weapons. Karpov used 50 minutes on his first five moves!)

5...Ne4 6.Qd3 Qa5 7.Qxe4! Bxc3+ 8.Bd2 Bxd2+ 9.Nxd2 Qb6 10.dxc5! Qxb2 11.Rb1 Qc3 12.Qd3! Qxd3

(12...Qa5 13.Rb5 Qa4 14.Bg2 Nc6 15.Qc3 0-0 16.Bxc6 bxc6 17.Ra5)

13.exd3

(White has space, development and pressure on d6 and b7)

13...Na6 14.d4 Rb8 15.Bg2 Ke7

(15...e5 16.dxe5 Nxc5 was best - GK)

16.Ke2 Rd8 17.Ne4 b6 18.Nd6

Nc7

(18...bxc5 19.Nxc8+ Rdxc8 20.Bb7 cxd4! - GK; 18...bxc5 19.Rxb8 Nxb8 20.dxc5 Na6! 21.Nxc8+ Rxc8 22.Bb7 Rxc5 23.Bxa6 Ra5 24.Bb7 Rxa2+ 25.Ke3 with drawing chances - GK)

19.Rb4! Ne8 20.Nxe8 Kxe8 21.Rhb1 Ba6 22.Ke3 d5?

(Losing a pawn, 22...Rdc8 23.c6 dxc6 24.Ra4; 22...Rdc8 23.c6 Rc7 GK)

23.cxd6 Rbc8

(23...Rxd6 24.c5)

24.Kd3 Rxd6 25.Ra4 b5 26.cxb5 Rb8 27.Rab4 Bb7 28.Bxb7 Rxb7 29.a4

(The pawns advance supported by the king)

29...Ke7 30.h4 h6 31.f3 Rd5 32.Rc1 Rbd7 33.a5 g5 34.hxg5 Rxg5 35.g4 h5 36.b6 axb6 37.axb6 Rb7 38.Rc5 f5 39.gxh5 Rxh5 40.Kc4 Rh8 41.Kb5 Ra8 42.Rbc4 1-0

White exchanges on c7 and then moves his king to c6 or if allowed, a6, to push the pawn home.

One of the most famous blunders in world championship history.

G Kasparov - A Karpov

KK2 Moscow (11) 1985

Nimzo Indian

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nf3 0-0 5.Bg5 c5 6.e3 cxd4 7.exd4 h6 8.Bh4 d5 9.Rc1 dxc4 10.Bxc4 Nc6 11.0-0 Be7 12.Re1 b6 13.a3 Bb7 14.Bg3 Rc8 15.Ba2 Bd6 16.d5 Nxd5 17.Nxd5 Bxg3 18.hxg3 exd5 19.Bxd5 Qf6 20.Qa4 Rfd8 21.Rcd1 Rd7 22.Qg4 Rcd8??

23.Qxd7 Rxd7 24.Re8+ Kh7 25.Be4+ 1-0

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