Grandmaster: Karpov, Anatoly
Born: May 23, 1951 Zlatoust, U.S.S.R.
Died: ----
Life:
At an early age, Anatoly Karpov moved with his family to Leningrad (Britannica). At age four he learned to play chess and was then tutored by the former world champion Mikhail Botvinnik (Encarta). At the young age of fifteen, Karpov was given the title of Soviet Master. A child prodigy, he won the 1969 Junior Chess Championship at age eighteen. One year later, Anatoly Karpov became the youngest International Grandmaster ever. In 1975 Karpov won the World Championship when GM Bobby Fischer of the USA refused to play him (Seirawan 221). The FIDE gave the title of World Chess Champion to Karpov by default. Seeking to prove to the world that he was worthy of the title, Karpov played in almost every strong tournament and accumulate the best tournament record in history. Karpov successfully defended his World Champion title for ten years before finally being defeated by fellow countryman Gary Kasparov in 1985. In 1993, Anatoly Karpov regained his World Champion title when GM Kasparov split from the FIDE to form his own organization (Britannica).
Style:
A great master of strategy, Karpov is known for his positional play in which he builds up small advantages through "flawless but colourful maneuvers to eventually achieve victory" (Britannica).

Bibloigraphy:

Hochberg, Burt. "Karpov, Anatoly Yevgnyevich." Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2000. http://encarta.msn.com (5 Jan. 2001)

"Karpov, Anatoy Yevgenyevich." Encyclopedia Britannica.
http://www.britannica.com (5 Jan 2001)

Seirawan, Yasser. Strategies. Redmond, Washington: Microsoft Press. 1994.