For Garry Kasparov, it was the world chess title and something more. It was the ultimate vindication of him and his flamboyant style over the surgical precision of his introspective rival, Anatoly Karpov.
Kasparov defeated Karpov, a fellow Soviet, for the fourth time in a world chess championship on Wednesday by playing him to a draw in the 22nd game.The half point each player received put Kasparov ahead 12-10 and let him retain the crown. He had won four games to Karpov's two. The rest were draws.
At age 22 in 1985, Kasparov won the title from Karpov to become the youngest champion in history. He defended the crown by beating Karpov in 1986 and 1987.
On Wednesday, Kasparov declared himself, in measured tones that may belie the magnitude of the accomplishment, a better player than his 39-year-old rival.
"I am a really good professional player," Kasparov said. "Today I play chess better than Karpov. I can concentrate and do things a little better, as I did during this match when I had problems."
Interest in the 24-game series was heightened by the dramatic contrast in style and temperament between the two players.
Kasparov is talkative and flamboyant, while Karpov is often portrayed as a colorless introvert who shies away from bold strategies.
Here are the moves in the 22nd game:
Kasparov Karpov
White black
1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 Nc6
3. Bb5 a6
4. Ba4 Nf6
5. 0-0 Be7
6. Re1 b5
7. Bb3 d6
8. c3 0-0
9. h3 Bb7
10. d4 Re8
11. Nbd2 Bf8
12. a4 h6
13. Bc2 exd4
14. cxd4 Nb4
15. Bb1 c5
16. d5 Nd7
17. Ra3 f5
18. exf5 Bxd5
19. Ne4 Bf7
20. axb5 d5
21. Nc3 Rxe1 check
22. Nxe1 d4
Kasparov Karpov
White black
23. Na2 Nxa2
24. Bxa2 c4
25. Rxa6 Nc5
26. Rxa8 Qxa8
27. Bb1 d3
28. Be3 Qa5
29. b3 Nxb3
30. Nxd3 cxd3
31. Bxd3 Nc5
32. Bf1 Qc7
33. Qg4 Kh7
34. Bc4 Bxc4
35. Qxc4 Qe5
36. Qf7 Bd6
37. g3 Qe7
38. Qg6 check Kh8
39. Bd4 Be5
40. Bxc5 Qxc5
41. Qe8 check Kh7
42. Qg6 check Kh8
43. Qe8 check -
Drawn (perpetual check)