Table of Contents

1On the Eve of Battle First acquaintance 9Reconnaissance in force 19Untouchable 34Ascent 382The First Match: 1984/85 Opening preparation 54Face to face (games 1-5) 58Catastrophe (games 6-9) 84The champion relaxes the pressure (games 10 15) 116I am not yet ready to win (games 16-27) 133The collapse of Karpov's dream (games 28-32) 163Above the precipice (games 33-41) 182The 'corpse' comes alive (games 42-48) 210Stages of the battle 2423The 49th Game Shadow of Baguio 246'We agreed on something quite different!' 253To whose benefit? 264'The match must take place!' 2694 The Second Match: 1985 Surprise for the champion (games 1-3) 277Double knock-down (games 4-5) 296High tension (games 6-11) 308Miracle gambit (games 12-16) 340In classical style (games 17-19) 364Hypnosis of the champion's title (games 20-23) 377Start of a new era (game 24) 405Index of Openings 420Index of Complete Games 422

About the Author

Garry Kasparov is generally regarded as the greatest chess player ever. He was the thirteenth World Champion, holding the title between 1985 and 2000. His tournament record is second to none, featuring numerous wins in the world's major events, often by substantial margins. As well as his outstanding successes, Kasparov has constantly promoted the game; he has done more than anyone to popularise chess in modern times.