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

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41. Qe8 check Kh7

42. Qg6 check Kh8

43. Qe8 check -

Drawn (perpetual check)

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