Karpov – Kasparov World Championship Match 1987

dates: 12 October–19 December 1987
location: Teatro Lope de Vega, Seville, Spain
score: 12–12 (Karpov–Kasparov)
winner: Garry Kasparov retained the title

Kasparov, Karpov and Timman in Amsterdam on 28 April 1987, before the Seville championship match. Photo: Bart Molendijk / Anefo.

Seville hosted the fourth Kasparov–Karpov world championship match in 1987. Karpov had earned another challenge through the Candidates cycle, and Kasparov defended the title he had held since 1985. The contest was scheduled for 24 games; a tied match would leave the champion in possession of the title.

Neither player could establish a lasting advantage. Karpov won game 23 to take a 12–11 lead, so Kasparov entered the final game needing a win. With White in an English Opening, he won the adjourned game and tied the match 12–12. The final two games changed the outcome twice, making this one of the rivalry’s most dramatic finishes.

The collection includes every draw as well as the eight decisive games. Follow how the players varied their opening choices, then compare Karpov’s penultimate-game win with Kasparov’s must-win response. Train either side to examine both the search for an advantage and the defence of difficult positions.

Anatoly Karpov's Profile Garry Kasparov's Profile

Match results

Karpov – Kasparov World Championship Match 1987 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	0½	1	0½	0	1	0½	0½	0	0½	0½	0	0½	0½	0½	0½	1	0½	0½	0½	0½	0½	0½	1	0	12
Garry Kasparov	0½	0	0½	1	0	0½	0½	1	0½	0½	1	0½	0½	0½	0½	0	0½	0½	0½	0½	0½	0½	0	1	12

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: King’s Indian Defence: a 30-move draw

Game 1 began 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.g3 c6 4.Nf3 Bg7, reaching king’s indian defence play (E60). The game was drawn after 30 moves. The running score was 0½–0½ (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Garry Kasparov 1/2-1/2	Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match	1987	30	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 2: English Opening: Karpov wins with Black

Game 2 began 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 Bb4, reaching english opening play (A29). Anatoly Karpov won with Black after 32 moves. The running score was 1½–0½ (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Garry Kasparov – Anatoly Karpov 0-1	Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match	1987	32	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 3: King’s Indian Defence: a 29-move draw

Game 3 began 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.g3 c6 4.Bg2 d5, reaching king’s indian defence play (E60). The game was drawn after 29 moves. The running score was 2–1 (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Garry Kasparov 1/2-1/2	Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match	1987	29	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 4: English Opening: Kasparov wins with White

Game 4 began 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e5 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 Bb4, reaching english opening play (A29). Garry Kasparov won with White after 41 moves. The running score was 2–2 (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Garry Kasparov – Anatoly Karpov 1-0	Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match	1987	41	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 5: Grünfeld Defence: Karpov wins with White

Game 5 began 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5, reaching grünfeld defence play (D87). Anatoly Karpov won with White after 38 moves. The running score was 3–2 (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Garry Kasparov 1-0	Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match	1987	38	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 6: English Opening: a 28-move draw

Game 6 began 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nc6 3.g3 g6 4.Bg2 d6, reaching english opening play (A25). The game was drawn after 28 moves. The running score was 3½–2½ (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Garry Kasparov – Anatoly Karpov 1/2-1/2	Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match	1987	28	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 7: Grünfeld Defence: a 79-move draw

Game 7 began 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5, reaching grünfeld defence play (D87). The game was drawn after 79 moves. The running score was 4–3 (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Garry Kasparov 1/2-1/2	Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match	1987	79	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 8: English Opening: Kasparov wins with White

Game 8 began 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 d6 3.g3 c5 4.Bg2 Nc6, reaching english opening play (A21). Garry Kasparov won with White after 50 moves. The running score was 4–4 (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Garry Kasparov – Anatoly Karpov 1-0	Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match	1987	50	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 9: Grünfeld Defence: a 70-move draw

Game 9 began 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5, reaching grünfeld defence play (D87). The game was drawn after 70 moves. The running score was 4½–4½ (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Garry Kasparov 1/2-1/2	Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match	1987	70	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 10: Caro-Kann Defence: a 20-move draw

Game 10 began 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7, reaching caro-kann defence play (B17). The game was drawn after 20 moves. The running score was 5–5 (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Garry Kasparov – Anatoly Karpov 1/2-1/2	Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match	1987	20	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 11: Grünfeld Defence: Kasparov wins with Black

Game 11 began 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5, reaching grünfeld defence play (D87). Garry Kasparov won with Black after 50 moves. The running score was 5–6 (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Garry Kasparov 0-1	Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match	1987	50	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 12: Queen’s Gambit Declined: a 21-move draw

Game 12 began 1.c4 e6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4 Be7 4.cxd5 exd5, reaching queen’s gambit declined play (D31). The game was drawn after 21 moves. The running score was 5½–6½ (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Garry Kasparov – Anatoly Karpov 1/2-1/2	Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match	1987	21	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 13: Grünfeld Defence: a 36-move draw

Game 13 began 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7, reaching grünfeld defence play (D85). The game was drawn after 36 moves. The running score was 6–7 (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Garry Kasparov 1/2-1/2	Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match	1987	36	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 14: Caro-Kann Defence: a 21-move draw

Game 14 began 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nd7, reaching caro-kann defence play (B17). The game was drawn after 21 moves. The running score was 6½–7½ (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Garry Kasparov – Anatoly Karpov 1/2-1/2	Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match	1987	21	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 15: Grünfeld Defence: a 43-move draw

Game 15 began 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7, reaching grünfeld defence play (D97). The game was drawn after 43 moves. The running score was 7–8 (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Garry Kasparov 1/2-1/2	Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match	1987	43	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 16: English Opening: Karpov wins with Black

Game 16 began 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 Bb4, reaching english opening play (A29). Anatoly Karpov won with Black after 41 moves. The running score was 8–8 (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Garry Kasparov – Anatoly Karpov 0-1	Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match	1987	41	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 17: King’s Indian Defence: a 46-move draw

Game 17 began 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6, reaching king’s indian defence play (E97). The game was drawn after 46 moves. The running score was 8½–8½ (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Garry Kasparov 1/2-1/2	Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match	1987	46	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 18: Queen’s Gambit Declined: a 40-move draw

Game 18 began 1.c4 e6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4 Be7 4.Nf3 Nf6, reaching queen’s gambit declined play (D58). The game was drawn after 40 moves. The running score was 9–9 (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Garry Kasparov – Anatoly Karpov 1/2-1/2	Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match	1987	40	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 19: Queen’s Gambit Declined: a 62-move draw

Game 19 began 1.Nf3 d5 2.d4 Nf6 3.c4 e6 4.Nc3 Be7, reaching queen’s gambit declined play (D58). The game was drawn after 62 moves. The running score was 9½–9½ (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Garry Kasparov 1/2-1/2	Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match	1987	62	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 20: Queen’s Gambit Declined: a 37-move draw

Game 20 began 1.c4 e6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4 Be7 4.Nf3 Nf6, reaching queen’s gambit declined play (D53). The game was drawn after 37 moves. The running score was 10–10 (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Garry Kasparov – Anatoly Karpov 1/2-1/2	Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match	1987	37	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 21: Grünfeld Defence: a 28-move draw

Game 21 began 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7, reaching grünfeld defence play (D97). The game was drawn after 28 moves. The running score was 10½–10½ (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Garry Kasparov 1/2-1/2	Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match	1987	28	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 22: Queen’s Gambit Declined: a 19-move draw

Game 22 began 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 Be7, reaching queen’s gambit declined play (D37). The game was drawn after 19 moves. The running score was 11–11 (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Garry Kasparov – Anatoly Karpov 1/2-1/2	Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match	1987	19	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 23: Karpov moves within a draw of the title

Game 23 began 1.c4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5, reaching english opening play (A34). Anatoly Karpov won with White after 57 moves. The running score was 12–11 (Karpov–Kasparov). Karpov entered the final game needing only a draw to take the title. Kasparov, despite holding the champion’s draw odds, now had to win.

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Garry Kasparov 1-0	Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match	1987	57	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 24: Kasparov wins on demand to retain the crown

Game 24 began 1.c4 e6 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.g3 d5 4.b3 Be7, reaching english opening play (A13). Garry Kasparov won with White after 64 moves. The running score was 12–12 (Karpov–Kasparov). Kasparov’s English Opening victory met the must-win requirement and tied the match. The 12–12 result kept the title with the defending champion.

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Garry Kasparov – Anatoly Karpov 1-0	Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match	1987	64	No	—	—	—	—	Start

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By IgniteChess Editorial Published 2026-10-12

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