Karpov – Kasparov World Championship Match 1985

dates: 3 September–9 November 1985
location: Moscow, Soviet Union
score: 11–13 (Karpov–Kasparov)
winner: Garry Kasparov

Garry Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov at their 1985 World Championship match in Moscow. Photo: Copyright 2007, S.M.S.I., Inc. - Owen Williams, The Kasparov Agency.

Karpov and Kasparov restarted their championship rivalry in Moscow in September 1985 after the first match had been terminated without a result. The score returned to 0–0. This time the contest was limited to 24 games, with Karpov retaining the title if the match finished 12–12.

Kasparov won the opening game, but Karpov won games 4 and 5 to take the lead. Kasparov equalised in game 11. His victory with Black in game 16 became the match’s most celebrated encounter: a Sicilian position in which an advanced knight on d3 helped restrict White’s pieces. He won again in game 19 to establish a two-point advantage.

Karpov’s win in game 22 reduced the gap. A draw in game 23 left Kasparov leading 12–11, so Karpov needed to win the final game to retain his title. Kasparov instead won with Black and became world champion at 22, taking the match 13–11.

All 24 games are included, with their original supplied moves and results. The embedded trainer lets you examine either player’s decisions throughout the match. Compare the tightly bounded final rounds with the unlimited first-to-six format of the 1984–85 contest, then continue to the 1986 rematch through the championship navigation below.

Anatoly Karpov's Profile Garry Kasparov's Profile

Match results

Karpov – Kasparov World Championship Match 1985 final standings and game-by-game scores
Player	Game 1	Game 2	Game 3	Game 4	Game 5	Game 6	Game 7	Game 8	Game 9	Game 10	Game 11	Game 12	Game 13	Game 14	Game 15	Game 16	Game 17	Game 18	Game 19	Game 20	Game 21	Game 22	Game 23	Game 24	Points
Anatoly Karpov	0	½	½	1	1	½	½	½	½	½	0	½	½	½	½	0	½	½	0	½	½	1	½	0	11
Garry Kasparov	1	½	½	0	0	½	½	½	½	½	1	½	½	½	½	1	½	½	1	½	½	0	½	1	13

Each game column shows the score earned by that player. 1 = win, ½ = draw, 0 = loss. Points are out of 24.

Completed 0 / 24

Game 1: Kasparov wins the restart’s opener

Game 1 opened 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nf3 c5, with nimzo-indian structures play (E21). Garry Kasparov won with White after 42 moves. The running points score was 0–1 (Karpov–Kasparov). The new match began with Kasparov taking the first point.

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Garry Kasparov – Anatoly Karpov 1-0	Karpov - Kasparov World Championship Match	1985	42	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 2: Sicilian Defence: a 65-move draw

Game 2 opened 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6, with sicilian defence play (B84). The game was drawn after 65 moves. The running points score was ½–1½ (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Garry Kasparov 1/2-1/2	Karpov - Kasparov World Championship Match	1985	65	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 3: Queen’s-pawn opening: a 20-move draw

Game 3 opened 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Be7, with queen’s-pawn opening play (D37). The game was drawn after 20 moves. The running points score was 1–2 (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Garry Kasparov – Anatoly Karpov 1/2-1/2	Karpov - Kasparov World Championship Match	1985	20	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 4: Queen’s-pawn opening: Karpov wins

Game 4 opened 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Be7 4.Nf3 Nf6, with queen’s-pawn opening play (D31). Anatoly Karpov won with White after 63 moves. The running points score was 2–2 (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Garry Kasparov 1-0	Karpov - Kasparov World Championship Match	1985	63	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 5: Karpov takes the lead

Game 5 opened 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6, with ruy lopez play (C92). Anatoly Karpov won with Black after 41 moves. The running points score was 3–2 (Karpov–Kasparov). Karpov won a second consecutive game.

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Garry Kasparov – Anatoly Karpov 0-1	Karpov - Kasparov World Championship Match	1985	41	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 6: Queen’s-pawn opening: a 27-move draw

Game 6 opened 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Be7 4.Nf3 Nf6, with queen’s-pawn opening play (D55). The game was drawn after 27 moves. The running points score was 3½–2½ (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Garry Kasparov 1/2-1/2	Karpov - Kasparov World Championship Match	1985	27	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 7: Nimzo-Indian structures: a 31-move draw

Game 7 opened 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nf3 O-O, with nimzo-indian structures play (E21). The game was drawn after 31 moves. The running points score was 4–3 (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Garry Kasparov – Anatoly Karpov 1/2-1/2	Karpov - Kasparov World Championship Match	1985	31	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 8: Queen’s-pawn opening: a 49-move draw

Game 8 opened 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Be7 4.Nf3 Nf6, with queen’s-pawn opening play (D58). The game was drawn after 49 moves. The running points score was 4½–3½ (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Garry Kasparov 1/2-1/2	Karpov - Kasparov World Championship Match	1985	49	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 9: Ruy Lopez: a 53-move draw

Game 9 opened 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6, with ruy lopez play (C92). The game was drawn after 53 moves. The running points score was 5–4 (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Garry Kasparov – Anatoly Karpov 1/2-1/2	Karpov - Kasparov World Championship Match	1985	53	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 10: Sicilian Defence: a 37-move draw

Game 10 opened 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6, with sicilian defence play (B84). The game was drawn after 37 moves. The running points score was 5½–4½ (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Garry Kasparov 1/2-1/2	Karpov - Kasparov World Championship Match	1985	37	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 11: Kasparov equalises

Game 11 opened 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nf3 O-O, with nimzo-indian structures play (E21). Garry Kasparov won with White after 25 moves. The running points score was 5½–5½ (Karpov–Kasparov). The challenger restored a level points score.

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Garry Kasparov – Anatoly Karpov 1-0	Karpov - Kasparov World Championship Match	1985	25	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 12: Sicilian Defence: a 18-move draw

Game 12 opened 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6, with sicilian defence play (B44). The game was drawn after 18 moves. The running points score was 6–6 (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Garry Kasparov 1/2-1/2	Karpov - Kasparov World Championship Match	1985	18	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 13: Nimzo-Indian structures: a 24-move draw

Game 13 opened 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nf3 c5, with nimzo-indian structures play (E21). The game was drawn after 24 moves. The running points score was 6½–6½ (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Garry Kasparov – Anatoly Karpov 1/2-1/2	Karpov - Kasparov World Championship Match	1985	24	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 14: Sicilian Defence: a 32-move draw

Game 14 opened 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6, with sicilian defence play (B45). The game was drawn after 32 moves. The running points score was 7–7 (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Garry Kasparov 1/2-1/2	Karpov - Kasparov World Championship Match	1985	32	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 15: King’s-pawn opening: a 28-move draw

Game 15 opened 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4, with king’s-pawn opening play (C42). The game was drawn after 28 moves. The running points score was 7½–7½ (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Garry Kasparov – Anatoly Karpov 1/2-1/2	Karpov - Kasparov World Championship Match	1985	28	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 16: Kasparov’s knight reaches d3

Game 16 opened 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 e6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6, with sicilian defence play (B44). Garry Kasparov won with Black after 40 moves. The running points score was 7½–8½ (Karpov–Kasparov). Kasparov won with Black in the celebrated Sicilian encounter.

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Garry Kasparov 0-1	Karpov - Kasparov World Championship Match	1985	40	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 17: Nimzo-Indian structures: a 29-move draw

Game 17 opened 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nf3 c5, with nimzo-indian structures play (E21). The game was drawn after 29 moves. The running points score was 8–9 (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Garry Kasparov – Anatoly Karpov 1/2-1/2	Karpov - Kasparov World Championship Match	1985	29	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 18: Sicilian Defence: a 25-move draw

Game 18 opened 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6, with sicilian defence play (B84). The game was drawn after 25 moves. The running points score was 8½–9½ (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Garry Kasparov 1/2-1/2	Karpov - Kasparov World Championship Match	1985	25	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 19: Kasparov leads by two points

Game 19 opened 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Nf3 Ne4, with nimzo-indian structures play (E21). Garry Kasparov won with White after 42 moves. The running points score was 8½–10½ (Karpov–Kasparov). The challenger widened his advantage with five games left.

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Garry Kasparov – Anatoly Karpov 1-0	Karpov - Kasparov World Championship Match	1985	42	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 20: Queen’s-pawn opening: a 85-move draw

Game 20 opened 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Be7 4.cxd5 exd5, with queen’s-pawn opening play (D31). The game was drawn after 85 moves. The running points score was 9–11 (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Garry Kasparov 1/2-1/2	Karpov - Kasparov World Championship Match	1985	85	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 21: Queen’s-pawn opening: a 46-move draw

Game 21 opened 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Be7 4.cxd5 exd5, with queen’s-pawn opening play (D31). The game was drawn after 46 moves. The running points score was 9½–11½ (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Garry Kasparov – Anatoly Karpov 1/2-1/2	Karpov - Kasparov World Championship Match	1985	46	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 22: Karpov keeps his chances alive

Game 22 opened 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Be7 4.cxd5 exd5, with queen’s-pawn opening play (D31). Anatoly Karpov won with White after 42 moves. The running points score was 10½–11½ (Karpov–Kasparov). Karpov reduced the margin to one point.

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Garry Kasparov 1-0	Karpov - Kasparov World Championship Match	1985	42	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 23: Queen’s-pawn opening: a 41-move draw

Game 23 opened 1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Be7 4.Nf3 Nf6, with queen’s-pawn opening play (D55). The game was drawn after 41 moves. The running points score was 11–12 (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Garry Kasparov – Anatoly Karpov 1/2-1/2	Karpov - Kasparov World Championship Match	1985	41	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 24: Kasparov becomes world champion

Game 24 opened 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6, with sicilian defence play (B84). Garry Kasparov won with Black after 42 moves. The running points score was 11–13 (Karpov–Kasparov). Kasparov won with Black to finish 13–11 and take the title.

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Garry Kasparov 0-1	Karpov - Kasparov World Championship Match	1985	42	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Sources and image credits

By IgniteChess Editorial Published 2026-10-12

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