Karpov – Kasparov World Championship Match 1990

dates: 8 October–30 December 1990
location: New York City, United States, and Lyon, France
score: 11½–12½ (Karpov–Kasparov)
winner: Garry Kasparov

Kasparov, Karpov and Timman in Amsterdam on 28 April 1987, before the Seville championship match. — Kasparov, Karpov and Timman in Amsterdam on 28 April 1987. This earlier photograph is not from the 1990 match. Photo: Bart Molendijk / Anefo.

Kasparov and Karpov contested their fifth world championship match in 1990. The first twelve games were played in New York and the final twelve in Lyon. Their previous four matches had already established a long rivalry, and the new contest again used a maximum of 24 classical games with the champion retaining the title in a tie.

The New York half ended level. Kasparov took the lead in game 16 in Lyon; Karpov answered in game 17, but Kasparov won games 18 and 20 to establish a two-point advantage. A draw in game 22 guaranteed Kasparov would retain the title. Karpov won game 23 before the final draw set the match score at 12½–11½.

The Ruy Lopez and queen’s-pawn defences offer repeated structures that can be compared across games. Work through the middle of the Lyon half in order to see how the contest moved from equality to a decisive lead. The trainer includes all 24 games and lets you revisit the same encounter from the other player’s perspective.

Anatoly Karpov's Profile Garry Kasparov's Profile

Match results

Karpov – Kasparov World Championship Match 1990 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	0	0½	0½	0½	0½	1	0½	0½	0½	0½	0½	0½	0½	0½	0	1	0	0½	0	0½	0½	1	0½	11½
Garry Kasparov	0½	1	0½	0½	0½	0½	0	0½	0½	0½	0½	0½	0½	0½	0½	1	0	1	0½	1	0½	0½	0	0½	12½

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.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6, reaching king’s indian defence play (E81). 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	1990	30	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 2: Ruy Lopez: Kasparov wins with White

Game 2 began 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6, reaching ruy lopez play (C92). Garry Kasparov won with White after 44 moves. The running score was 0½–1½ (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Garry Kasparov – Anatoly Karpov 1-0	Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match	1990	44	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 3: King’s Indian Defence: a 53-move draw

Game 3 began 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6, reaching king’s indian defence play (E92). The game was drawn after 53 moves. The running score was 1–2 (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	1990	53	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 4: Ruy Lopez: a 41-move draw

Game 4 began 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6, reaching ruy lopez play (C92). The game was drawn after 41 moves. The running score was 1½–2½ (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	1990	41	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 5: King’s Indian Defence: a 36-move draw

Game 5 began 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6, reaching king’s indian defence play (E92). The game was drawn after 36 moves. The running score was 2–3 (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	1990	36	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 6: Ruy Lopez: a 42-move draw

Game 6 began 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6, reaching ruy lopez play (C92). The game was drawn after 42 moves. The running score was 2½–3½ (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	1990	42	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 7: King’s Indian Defence: Karpov wins with White

Game 7 began 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6, reaching king’s indian defence play (E92). Anatoly Karpov won with White after 44 moves. The running score was 3½–3½ (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Garry Kasparov 1-0	Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match	1990	44	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 8: Ruy Lopez: a 84-move draw

Game 8 began 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6, reaching ruy lopez play (C92). The game was drawn after 84 moves. The running score was 4–4 (Karpov–Kasparov).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Garry Kasparov – Anatoly Karpov 1/2-1/2	Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match	1990	84	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 9: Grünfeld Defence: a 34-move draw

Game 9 began 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5, reaching grünfeld defence play (D85). The game was drawn after 34 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	1990	34	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 10: Open game: a 18-move draw

Game 10 began 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4 exd4 4.e5 Ne4, reaching open game play (C43). The game was drawn after 18 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	1990	18	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 11: King’s Indian Defence: a 24-move draw

Game 11 began 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6, reaching king’s indian defence play (E92). The game was drawn after 24 moves. The running score was 5½–5½ (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	1990	24	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 12: Ruy Lopez: a 37-move draw

Game 12 began 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6, reaching ruy lopez play (C92). The game was drawn after 37 moves. The running score was 6–6 (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	1990	37	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 13: Grünfeld Defence: a 42-move draw

Game 13 began 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5, reaching grünfeld defence play (D85). The game was drawn after 42 moves. The running score was 6½–6½ (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	1990	42	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 14: Open game: a 41-move draw

Game 14 began 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6, reaching open game play (C45). The game was drawn after 41 moves. The running score was 7–7 (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	1990	41	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 15: Grünfeld Defence: a 33-move draw

Game 15 began 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5, reaching grünfeld defence play (D85). The game was drawn after 33 moves. The running score was 7½–7½ (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	1990	33	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 16: Kasparov breaks the deadlock in Lyon

Game 16 began 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6, reaching open game play (C45). Garry Kasparov won with White after 102 moves. The running score was 7½–8½ (Karpov–Kasparov). This was the first decisive game of the Lyon half. It ended a long sequence of draws and gave Kasparov a one-point lead.

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Garry Kasparov – Anatoly Karpov 1-0	Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match	1990	102	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 17: Karpov immediately equalises

Game 17 began 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5, reaching grünfeld defence play (D85). Anatoly Karpov won with White after 40 moves. The running score was 8½–8½ (Karpov–Kasparov). Karpov answered immediately, restoring equality before Kasparov’s decisive late surge. Study this response alongside games 16 and 18.

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Garry Kasparov 1-0	Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match	1990	40	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 18: Kasparov takes the lead again

Game 18 began 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6, reaching ruy lopez play (C92). Garry Kasparov won with White after 57 moves. The running score was 8½–9½ (Karpov–Kasparov). Kasparov regained the point he had lost in the previous game. The final six-game stretch began with the champion ahead.

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Garry Kasparov – Anatoly Karpov 1-0	Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match	1990	57	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 19: King’s Indian Defence: a 39-move draw

Game 19 began 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6, reaching king’s indian defence play (E92). The game was drawn after 39 moves. The running score was 9–10 (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	1990	39	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 20: A second point of separation

Game 20 began 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6, reaching ruy lopez play (C92). Garry Kasparov won with White after 41 moves. The running score was 9–11 (Karpov–Kasparov). The champion’s second win in three games established a two-point cushion. Karpov now needed to overturn that margin in the last four rounds.

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Garry Kasparov – Anatoly Karpov 1-0	Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match	1990	41	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 21: King’s Indian Defence: a 86-move draw

Game 21 began 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6, reaching king’s indian defence play (E87). The game was drawn after 86 moves. The running score was 9½–11½ (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	1990	86	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 22: A draw secures title retention

Game 22 began 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6, reaching ruy lopez play (C92). The game was drawn after 43 moves. The running score was 10–12 (Karpov–Kasparov). The draw gave Kasparov twelve points, guaranteeing at least a tied match and therefore retention of the title.

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Garry Kasparov – Anatoly Karpov 1/2-1/2	Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match	1990	43	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 23: Karpov narrows the final margin

Game 23 began 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6, reaching king’s indian defence play (E87). Anatoly Karpov won with White after 29 moves. The running score was 11–12 (Karpov–Kasparov). Karpov’s victory reduced the final margin, but Kasparov had already secured title retention in the previous game.

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Garry Kasparov 1-0	Kasparov - Karpov World Championship Match	1990	29	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 24: The fifth match concludes

Game 24 began 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.Qc2 O-O, reaching english opening play (A17). The game was drawn after 36 moves. The running score was 11½–12½ (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	1990	36	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Sources and image credits

By IgniteChess Editorial Published 2026-10-12

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