Karpov

Anatoly Karpov was born in the Soviet Union in 1951 and won the 1974 qualification cycle. In the Candidates elimination matches, the stage that selected the champion's challenger, he defeated Lev Polugaevsky, Boris Spassky, and Viktor Korchnoi. This earned him the right to challenge Bobby Fischer. Fischer did not accept the conditions for defending the title, so Karpov was declared the twelfth world champion in 1975.

Karpov then confirmed his strength over the board. He defended the crown against Korchnoi in 1978 and 1981 and dominated many tournaments. From 1984 through 1990 he played five world championship matches against Garry Kasparov, a rivalry that defined an era. He lost the title in 1985, but during the later championship split he won the 1993, 1996, and 1998 editions of the branch organized by FIDE, the International Chess Federation.

Why his style remains a model

Positional play means improving pieces, controlling squares, and limiting the opponent before seeking immediate action. Karpov was exceptional at restricting opposing options and gradually turning a small advantage into a win. He did not need a spectacular attack; many victories came because the opponent had fewer and fewer useful moves. That precision influenced later champions such as Vladimir Kramnik.