Anatoly Karpov

Anatoly Evgenyevich Karpov (Russian: Анатолий Евгеньевич Карпов; born May 23, 1951) is a Russian chess grandmaster and politician who held the title of World Chess Champion from 1975 to 1985. Born in Zlatoust in the Russian Soviet Federative Socialist Republic, Karpov rose rapidly through the Soviet chess establishment, securing the World Junior Championship in 1969 and qualifying as a Candidates finalist by 1974. He assumed the championship when incumbent Bobby Fischer declined to defend it against FIDE's match conditions, leading to Fischer's forfeiture.

Karpov defended his title successfully against Viktor Korchnoi in 1978 and 1981, both matches marked by intense psychological and logistical pressures amid Korchnoi's defection from the Soviet Union. His reign ended in a protracted rivalry with Garry Kasparov, beginning with an aborted 1984 match halted by FIDE at 5–3 in Karpov's favor after 48 games, followed by Kasparov's victory in the 1985 rematch (13–11) and retainment in subsequent contests through 1990. Known for his methodical positional style, exceptional stamina, and over 160 tournament first-place finishes, Karpov dominated elite events throughout the 1970s and 1980s, often sharing top honors with Kasparov in super-tournaments.