Top 10 most memorable world championship moments - Chess Forums

GM JMB2010

Aug 25, 2011

0

#1

Here I'm posting the top 10 most memorable moments from world championship matches. Enjoy!

#10 - The Counterattack of the Ages!

In the 1985 match between Kasparov and Karpov, Karpov was the defending champion. Kasparov was leading by one into the final game, in which he needs a draw to become champ. But suddenly Karpov built up a dangerous attack.

#9 - Korchnoi's self mate

In the 1978 match between Karpov and Korchnoi, Korchnoi lost 6-5. It could all have been different if he had converted his advantage in the 17th game.

#8 - Cutting it close

In the 1987 match between Karpov and Kasparov, Karpov was the closest he ever came to regaining the world title. He was leading by 1 going into the final game (just like #10!). And then...

#7 - Duh!

This was from the first game of the 1972 match between Spassky and Fischer.

#6 - The All-Nighter

In the 21st game from that same Fischer-Spassky match, Fischer was just a win away from the title.

#5 - He's the First!

In the 1886 match between Steinitz and Zukertort, Steinitz was a win away from the title. The final game was just not a game you expect to see in world championship matches

#4 - Comedy of Errors

In the 1984 match between Karpov (champ) and Kasparov, the format was: First to 6 wins, draws not counting. At this pointing Karpov was up 4-0 (!) and almost scored a win right here in this game. After failing to do it, Karpov won another game but couldn't close Kasparov out. Kasparov won 3 games to make the score 5-3. The match just didn't end, and it was suspended. If Karpov had won this game, he would have won the match. Kasparov would have been embarrased and wiped out, and probably, not have become the Kasparov we know today. So, this game could have changed chess history. But surprisingly, few people know about it.

#3 - Just complicated

In the 1910 match between Lasker and Schlechter, Schlechter was winning 5-4 going into the final game. Now it seems like Schlechter only needed a draw to win. But in this match, the challenger had to win by 2 points! So if the game was drawn and the match ended at 51/2 - 41/2, the match would be declared...drawn. So Schlechter needed a win to win the match. And he almost did.

#2 - Chigorin's Selfmate

In the 1892 match between Steinitz and Chigorin, this was the format: It was the first to win 10 games, draws not counting. Steinitz was winning 9-8 before this game. But then...

#1 - Dear Mr. Alekhine...

In the 1927 match between Capablanca and Alekhine, Alekhine was a win away from the title.

GM JMB2010

Aug 26, 2011

0

#2

If you liked this you'll probably like this too.

http://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-players/top-30-chess-players-of-all-time

PrawnEatsPrawn

Aug 26, 2011

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#3

Here's the moment that sticks out in my mind:

Kingpatzer

Aug 26, 2011

0

#4

The look on Kasparov's face when Kramnik rolled out the Berlin will always stand out in my mind. I could hear Gary thinking "Seriously?!" all the way around the world!

GM JMB2010

Aug 26, 2011

0

#5

PrawnEatsPrawn: I forgot about that one! Others barely missed the cut too:

Chigorin's demolishing of Steinitz in the first game of their 1892 match. http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1264014

Bronstein losing a position a pawn up in the second to last game against Botvinnik when he needed 2 more draws to win the title. http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1032203

Marshall giving up a piece for nothing against Lasker. http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1094687

ZarkoUcinci

Oct 21, 2014

0

#6

Re7 from Kasparov, super known, super beautiful :) thanks for making me watch it again.

i am amazed i didn't know #9. also didn't know #4, #3

AND OMG, nº one. why?? i mean, i saw all the games from the wcc more than once, these ones i clearly forgot. and this is a super famous ending, rook+bishop pawn in a rook end game. the history started here i guess?!