Russian Chess Grandmaster Anatoly Karpov: An Undisputed World Champion

Born at Zlatoust in the former Soviet Union, chess grandmaster Anatoly Karpov is one of the pillars of russian chess. He once made serious waves in the world of chess after being a highly respected champion of the game. For ten straight years, he stayed on top surpassing every challenge along the way. After losing the title in 1986, he showed the heart and resilience of a true champion as he tries to regain it almost every year.

Karpov once again became on top of the competition when he won the FIDE World Championship in 1993. This title run proved to be a long one as he successfully defended his title every year until 1999. All in all, he has won a grand total of 161 won chess tourneys. His record as a professional chess player now stands at 1,118 victories, 287 defeats, and 1,480 draws.

Karpov's early life was predominantly occupied with chess. At age 4, the game was seeping its way into his system. By 11, he was a force to reckon with among his peers. During that time, he was already a candidate for chess mastership. At the age of 12, his parents enrolled him to a chess school under the supervision of the great chess tutor Mikhail Botvinnik.

When he reached the age of 15, Karpov has already gained the title of Soviet National Master. He then moved on to win the top prize for his initial international tournament in chess. The early parts of his life were capped off with an impressive and overwhelming victory at the World Junior Chess Championship in 1969. After a couple more participation in some prestigious international tournaments, he was awarded a grandmaster status.

The next international tournaments proved to be vital for Karpov's career. The Alekhine Memorial tournament in 1971, the USSR Chess Championship in 1973, and the Leningrad Interzonal Tournament also in 1973 were huge events that vastly contributed to his popularity and respectability in the professional chess circuit. The final tournament earned him a spot at the all important Candidates' Tournament for the right to challenge then defending champion Bobby Fischer.

A great deal of Karpov's popularity is his so-called rivalry with fellow Russian chess grandmaster Garry Kasparov. Their first memorable encounter was an instant hit. Their 1984 World Championship face-off in Moscow was greatly anticipated all throughout the world of chess. In what could have been a classic battle between the two toughest Russian chess competitors ever, the game was nullified by FIDE President Florencio Campomanes.

With Karpov winning five games, Kasparov a total of three, and an overwhelming number of draws that totaled to 40, the tournament was just too much for the players to finish. In the rivalry of the two most influential Russian chess players, Karpov recorded a total of 19 victories, 21 defeats, and 104 draws.