USChess Online ® Presents:
White: Gata Kamsky 0.5 Black: Anatoly Karpov 0.5 Played 10 July 96 in Elista, Kalmykia
Annotation by GM Arthur Bisguier
assisted by NM Eric Johnson and Brian Bugbee
Special Post-Game Analysis by GM Gabriel Schwartzman
Note - Commentary is currently not available in PGN format.
        80. ... a7-a5 Draw |
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Taking the a-pawn off the second rank (so that any rook check will have less effect), and perhaps preparing to exchange another pair of pawns. At this point, the challenger recognized that he could pose no more problems for the world champion. DRAW AGREED
Karpov wins, 10 1/2 - 7 1/2! One of the hardest-fought matches in recent times. The games may not have been sparkling, but they were real, down-and-dirty sporting contests. In a match of limited duration, the older (more experienced) player prevailed. The extended play of Games Seventeen and Eighteen may have sent a signal: Kamsky probably expects to play in a title match again (either against Karpov or Kasparov). By playing to the bitter end (unlike Anand in New York last year), Gata is telling his future opponent(s): "I will play...and play...and play some more, until all chances are extinguished. If you cannot stay with me, I will win..." Some of my games against Fischer were lost in similar fashion (because of his great will to win). I found myself looking for a shortcut to make a draw, rather than simply playing the game to its natural (extended) conclusion. Long games give ample chances for simple mistakes. The quality of the games was much higher earlier in the match, when both sides were striving to win. Congratulations to Anatoly Karpov, on retaining his FIDE title. His next opponent (either Kasparov, or another challenger in the FIDE cycle) will have a very difficult time. By the way... GM Arthur Bisguier will be one of the staff members at the 1996 Castle Chess Camp, starting July 21 and running through July 28 in Bradford, Pa. For more info, contact Robert Ferguson at (814) 368-4974.
Editor's Note - With this draw, the match
score is Karpov 10.5, Kamsky 7.5, and the CHAMPIONSHIP IS
OVER! Congratulations to GM Anatoly Karpov, who retains his
title.
It has been a pleasure to present this realtime coverage. We
look forward to the opportunity to do it again in the future. We
would like to thank Mon. Cristophe Bouton in Elista, GM Arthur
Bisguier, GM Gabriel Schwartzman, GM Walter Browne, IM John Grefe, SM
Ron Burnett, USCF Assistant Directors Eric Johnson and Brian Bugbee,
and Director of Operations George Filippone, all of whom worked
together to make this coverage possible.
--- Addie and Gary Prince, USCF Webmasters
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