Karpov – Korchnoi World Championship Match 1978

dates: 18 July–18 October 1978
location: Baguio Convention Center, Baguio, Philippines
score: 6–5 in wins; 16½–15½ including draws (Karpov–Korchnoi)
winner: Anatoly Karpov retained the title

Anatoly Karpov in April 2017. This later portrait is not from the Baguio match. Photo: Veni Markovski.

Anatoly Karpov’s first played world championship defence took place against Viktor Korchnoi in Baguio in 1978. Karpov had become champion in 1975 when Fischer did not defend his title. Korchnoi earned the challenge through the Candidates matches. Their contest used a first-to-six-wins format: draws did not count toward the winning target, and there was no fixed game limit.

Seven draws opened the match before Karpov won game 8. Korchnoi equalised in game 11, but Karpov won games 13, 14 and 17 to lead by four wins to one. Korchnoi’s victory in game 21 kept the contest alive. Karpov then won game 27 and stood one win from retaining the title.

The closing stretch transformed the contest. Korchnoi won games 28, 29 and 31, drawing game 30, to level the decisive-game score at 5–5. Karpov won game 32 to reach the six-win target. Including the 21 draws, the points total was 16½–15½. The distinction matters: the championship was decided by wins rather than by a predetermined points total.

All 32 games are included in chronological order. The collection ranges from short opening draws to game 5’s 124-move struggle, and ends with four decisive games in the final five rounds. Choose either player to study the changing demands of building a lead, defending it and recovering from a large deficit.

Anatoly Karpov's Profile Viktor Korchnoi's Profile

Match results

Karpov – Korchnoi World Championship Match 1978 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	Game 25	Game 26	Game 27	Game 28	Game 29	Game 30	Game 31	Game 32	Points
Anatoly Karpov	½	½	½	½	½	½	½	1	½	½	0	½	1	1	½	½	1	½	½	½	0	½	½	½	½	½	1	0	0	½	0	1	16½
Viktor Korchnoi	½	½	½	½	½	½	½	0	½	½	1	½	0	0	½	½	0	½	½	½	1	½	½	½	½	½	0	1	1	½	1	0	15½

Each game column shows the score earned by that player. 1 = win, ½ = draw, 0 = loss. Points are out of 32.

Completed 0 / 32

Game 1: English Opening: a 18-move draw

Game 1 opened 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.d4 Be7, with english opening play (D58). The game was drawn after 18 moves. The running points score was ½–½ (Karpov–Korchnoi).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Viktor Korchnoi – Anatoly Karpov 1/2-1/2	Karpov - Korchnoi World Championship Match	1978	18	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 2: Ruy Lopez: a 29-move draw

Game 2 opened 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6, with ruy lopez play (C82). The game was drawn after 29 moves. The running points score was 1–1 (Karpov–Korchnoi).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Viktor Korchnoi 1/2-1/2	Karpov - Korchnoi World Championship Match	1978	29	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 3: English Opening: a 30-move draw

Game 3 opened 1.c4 Nf6 2.d4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 c5, with english opening play (E42). The game was drawn after 30 moves. The running points score was 1½–1½ (Karpov–Korchnoi).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Viktor Korchnoi – Anatoly Karpov 1/2-1/2	Karpov - Korchnoi World Championship Match	1978	30	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 4: Ruy Lopez: a 19-move draw

Game 4 opened 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6, with ruy lopez play (C82). The game was drawn after 19 moves. The running points score was 2–2 (Karpov–Korchnoi).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Viktor Korchnoi 1/2-1/2	Karpov - Korchnoi World Championship Match	1978	19	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 5: A 124-move draw

Game 5 opened 1.c4 Nf6 2.d4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 c5, with english opening play (E42). The game was drawn after 124 moves. The running points score was 2½–2½ (Karpov–Korchnoi). Neither player broke through in the match’s longest game.

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Viktor Korchnoi – Anatoly Karpov 1/2-1/2	Karpov - Korchnoi World Championship Match	1978	124	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 6: English Opening: a 23-move draw

Game 6 opened 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 Bb4, with english opening play (A29). The game was drawn after 23 moves. The running points score was 3–3 (Karpov–Korchnoi).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Viktor Korchnoi 1/2-1/2	Karpov - Korchnoi World Championship Match	1978	23	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 7: Nimzo-Indian structures: a 42-move draw

Game 7 opened 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nc3 Bb4 4.e3 O-O, with nimzo-indian structures play (E47). The game was drawn after 42 moves. The running points score was 3½–3½ (Karpov–Korchnoi).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Viktor Korchnoi – Anatoly Karpov 1/2-1/2	Karpov - Korchnoi World Championship Match	1978	42	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 8: Karpov scores the first win

Game 8 opened 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6, with ruy lopez play (C80). Anatoly Karpov won with White after 28 moves. The running points score was 4½–3½ (Karpov–Korchnoi). Seven opening draws ended with Karpov taking the lead.

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Viktor Korchnoi 1-0	Karpov - Korchnoi World Championship Match	1978	28	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 9: English Opening: a 41-move draw

Game 9 opened 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.d4 Be7, with english opening play (D37). The game was drawn after 41 moves. The running points score was 5–4 (Karpov–Korchnoi).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Viktor Korchnoi – Anatoly Karpov 1/2-1/2	Karpov - Korchnoi World Championship Match	1978	41	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 10: Ruy Lopez: a 44-move draw

Game 10 opened 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6, with ruy lopez play (C80). The game was drawn after 44 moves. The running points score was 5½–4½ (Karpov–Korchnoi).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Viktor Korchnoi 1/2-1/2	Karpov - Korchnoi World Championship Match	1978	44	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 11: Flank opening: Korchnoi wins

Game 11 opened 1.g3 c5 2.Bg2 Nc6 3.e4 g6 4.d3 Bg7, with flank opening play (A07). Viktor Korchnoi won with White after 50 moves. The running points score was 5½–5½ (Karpov–Korchnoi).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Viktor Korchnoi – Anatoly Karpov 1-0	Karpov - Korchnoi World Championship Match	1978	50	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 12: Ruy Lopez: a 44-move draw

Game 12 opened 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6, with ruy lopez play (C81). The game was drawn after 44 moves. The running points score was 6–6 (Karpov–Korchnoi).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Viktor Korchnoi 1/2-1/2	Karpov - Korchnoi World Championship Match	1978	44	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 13: English Opening: Karpov wins

Game 13 opened 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.d4 Be7, with english opening play (D37). Anatoly Karpov won with Black after 61 moves. The running points score was 7–6 (Karpov–Korchnoi).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Viktor Korchnoi – Anatoly Karpov 0-1	Karpov - Korchnoi World Championship Match	1978	61	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 14: Ruy Lopez: Karpov wins

Game 14 opened 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6, with ruy lopez play (C82). Anatoly Karpov won with White after 50 moves. The running points score was 8–6 (Karpov–Korchnoi).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Viktor Korchnoi 1-0	Karpov - Korchnoi World Championship Match	1978	50	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 15: English Opening: a 25-move draw

Game 15 opened 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.d4 Be7, with english opening play (D37). The game was drawn after 25 moves. The running points score was 8½–6½ (Karpov–Korchnoi).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Viktor Korchnoi – Anatoly Karpov 1/2-1/2	Karpov - Korchnoi World Championship Match	1978	25	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 16: King’s-pawn opening: a 51-move draw

Game 16 opened 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.exd5 exd5, with king’s-pawn opening play (C07). The game was drawn after 51 moves. The running points score was 9–7 (Karpov–Korchnoi).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Viktor Korchnoi 1/2-1/2	Karpov - Korchnoi World Championship Match	1978	51	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 17: English Opening: Karpov wins

Game 17 opened 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.d4 Bb4 4.e3 O-O, with english opening play (E47). Anatoly Karpov won with Black after 39 moves. The running points score was 10–7 (Karpov–Korchnoi).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Viktor Korchnoi – Anatoly Karpov 0-1	Karpov - Korchnoi World Championship Match	1978	39	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 18: King’s-pawn opening: a 64-move draw

Game 18 opened 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7, with king’s-pawn opening play (B08). The game was drawn after 64 moves. The running points score was 10½–7½ (Karpov–Korchnoi).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Viktor Korchnoi 1/2-1/2	Karpov - Korchnoi World Championship Match	1978	64	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 19: English Opening: a 39-move draw

Game 19 opened 1.c4 Nf6 2.g3 e6 3.Bg2 d5 4.Nf3 Be7, with english opening play (E06). The game was drawn after 39 moves. The running points score was 11–8 (Karpov–Korchnoi).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Viktor Korchnoi – Anatoly Karpov 1/2-1/2	Karpov - Korchnoi World Championship Match	1978	39	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 20: King’s-pawn opening: a 63-move draw

Game 20 opened 1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6, with king’s-pawn opening play (B15). The game was drawn after 63 moves. The running points score was 11½–8½ (Karpov–Korchnoi).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Viktor Korchnoi 1/2-1/2	Karpov - Korchnoi World Championship Match	1978	63	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 21: English Opening: Korchnoi wins

Game 21 opened 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.d4 Be7, with english opening play (D37). Viktor Korchnoi won with White after 60 moves. The running points score was 11½–9½ (Karpov–Korchnoi).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Viktor Korchnoi – Anatoly Karpov 1-0	Karpov - Korchnoi World Championship Match	1978	60	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 22: King’s-pawn opening: a 64-move draw

Game 22 opened 1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nd2 c5 4.exd5 exd5, with king’s-pawn opening play (C07). The game was drawn after 64 moves. The running points score was 12–10 (Karpov–Korchnoi).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Viktor Korchnoi 1/2-1/2	Karpov - Korchnoi World Championship Match	1978	64	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 23: English Opening: a 42-move draw

Game 23 opened 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.d4 Be7, with english opening play (D37). The game was drawn after 42 moves. The running points score was 12½–10½ (Karpov–Korchnoi).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Viktor Korchnoi – Anatoly Karpov 1/2-1/2	Karpov - Korchnoi World Championship Match	1978	42	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 24: Ruy Lopez: a 45-move draw

Game 24 opened 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6, with ruy lopez play (C83). The game was drawn after 45 moves. The running points score was 13–11 (Karpov–Korchnoi).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Viktor Korchnoi 1/2-1/2	Karpov - Korchnoi World Championship Match	1978	45	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 25: English Opening: a 80-move draw

Game 25 opened 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e5 3.g3 Bb4 4.Qb3 Nc6, with english opening play (A22). The game was drawn after 80 moves. The running points score was 13½–11½ (Karpov–Korchnoi).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Viktor Korchnoi – Anatoly Karpov 1/2-1/2	Karpov - Korchnoi World Championship Match	1978	80	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 26: English Opening: a 27-move draw

Game 26 opened 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 d6 3.g3 f5 4.Bg2 Nc6, with english opening play (A21). The game was drawn after 27 moves. The running points score was 14–12 (Karpov–Korchnoi).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Viktor Korchnoi 1/2-1/2	Karpov - Korchnoi World Championship Match	1978	27	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 27: Karpov reaches five wins

Game 27 opened 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e5 3.Nf3 Nc6 4.g3 Bb4, with english opening play (A29). Anatoly Karpov won with Black after 41 moves. The running points score was 15–12 (Karpov–Korchnoi). The champion stood one decisive result from retaining his title.

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Viktor Korchnoi – Anatoly Karpov 0-1	Karpov - Korchnoi World Championship Match	1978	41	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 28: Korchnoi begins his late comeback

Game 28 opened 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 a6 4.Ba4 Nf6, with ruy lopez play (C82). Viktor Korchnoi won with Black after 61 moves. The running points score was 15–13 (Karpov–Korchnoi). This was the first of three Korchnoi wins in four games.

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Viktor Korchnoi 0-1	Karpov - Korchnoi World Championship Match	1978	61	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 29: A second consecutive Korchnoi win

Game 29 opened 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 e6 3.e4 c5 4.e5 Ng8, with english opening play (A19). Viktor Korchnoi won with White after 79 moves. The running points score was 15–14 (Karpov–Korchnoi). Korchnoi moved within one win of the champion.

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Viktor Korchnoi – Anatoly Karpov 1-0	Karpov - Korchnoi World Championship Match	1978	79	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 30: English Opening: a 42-move draw

Game 30 opened 1.c4 Nf6 2.Nc3 d5 3.cxd5 Nxd5 4.g3 g6, with english opening play (A16). The game was drawn after 42 moves. The running points score was 15½–14½ (Karpov–Korchnoi).

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Viktor Korchnoi 1/2-1/2	Karpov - Korchnoi World Championship Match	1978	42	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 31: Five wins each

Game 31 opened 1.c4 e6 2.Nc3 d5 3.d4 Nf6 4.cxd5 exd5, with english opening play (D35). Viktor Korchnoi won with White after 71 moves. The running points score was 15½–15½ (Karpov–Korchnoi). Korchnoi completed his comeback and levelled the decisive-game score.

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Viktor Korchnoi – Anatoly Karpov 1-0	Karpov - Korchnoi World Championship Match	1978	71	No	—	—	—	—	Start

Game 32: Karpov wins the deciding game

Game 32 opened 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7, with king’s-pawn opening play (B08). Anatoly Karpov won with White after 41 moves. The running points score was 16½–15½ (Karpov–Korchnoi). Karpov reached the six-win target and retained the championship.

Game	Event	Year	Moves	Played	Current move	Score	Correct	Accuracy	Action
Anatoly Karpov – Viktor Korchnoi 1-0	Karpov - Korchnoi World Championship Match	1978	41	No	—	—	—	—	Start

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By IgniteChess Editorial Published 2026-10-12

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