Kasparov vs Karpov, 1986

Game 16 of the 1986 rematch in Leningrad. Karpov plants a knight on d3, the same outpost as Kasparov’s 1985 win with colors reversed. Kasparov ignores it long enough to take on h6 and win with a rook lift.

White: Garry Kasparov
Black: Anatoly Karpov
Event: World Championship, Leningrad, game 16
Year: 1986
Result: 1-0

Critical position

After 25... Nbd3. White to move.

Take over as White vs Maia

Step through

25... Nbd3

Annotated score

1. e4 (best) e5 (best)
2. Nf3 (best) Nc6 (excellent)
3. Bb5 (inaccuracy) a6 (good)
4. Ba4 (best) Nf6 (best)
5. O-O (best) Be7 (excellent)
6. Re1 (good) b5 (best)
7. Bb3 (best) d6 (excellent)
8. c3 (best) O-O (excellent)
9. h3 (best) Bb7 (best)
10. d4 (best) Re8 (best)
11. Nbd2 (excellent) Bf8 (excellent)
12. a4 (excellent) h6 (best)
13. Bc2 (best) exd4 (best)
14. cxd4 (best) Nb4 (best)
Nb4: 14...Nb4 heads for the hole on d3.
15. Bb1 (best) c5 (good)
16. d5 (best) Nd7 (best)
17. Ra3 (excellent) c4 (best)
18. Nd4 (good) Qf6 (good)
19. N2f3 (good) Nc5 (best)
20. axb5 (best) axb5 (best)
21. Nxb5 (good) Rxa3 (good)
22. Nxa3 (best) Ba6 (best)
23. Re3 (good) Rb8 (inaccuracy)
24. e5 (good) dxe5 (best)
25. Nxe5 (best) Nbd3 (mistake)
Nbd3: 25...Nbd3. The knight sits on the same square as in Moscow the year before.
26. Ng4 (mistake) Qb6 (inaccuracy)
27. Rg3 (inaccuracy) g6 (mistake)
28. Bxh6 (inaccuracy) Qxb2 (best)
Bxh6: 28.Bxh6 takes the pawn in front of the king. The knight on d3 does not defend h6.
29. Qf3 (best) Nd7 (best)
30. Bxf8 (good) Kxf8 (best)
31. Kh2 (best) Rb3 (good)
32. Bxd3 (excellent) cxd3 (good)
33. Qf4 (best) Qxa3 (mistake)
34. Nh6 (inaccuracy) Qe7 (best)
35. Rxg6 (best) Qe5 (best)
36. Rg8+ (best) Ke7 (best)
37. d6+ (best) Ke6 (best)
38. Re8+ (best) Kd5 (best)
39. Rxe5+ (best) Nxe5 (best)
40. d7 (inaccuracy) Rb8 (best)
41. Nxf7 (best)
Nxf7: 41.Nxf7. The d-pawn is one square from a queen.