Garry Kasparov
Youngest World Champion in history at the time (22), and world #1 for a record 255 months.
Photo: Fryta 73 · CC BY-SA 2.0
Biography
Kasparov defeated Karpov in 1985 to become the youngest champion in history. He defended the "Classical" title through further Karpov rematches, then in 1993 broke away from FIDE with challenger Nigel Short to form the rival Professional Chess Association (PCA) — starting a 13-year split in the World Championship (see the historical note on Vladimir Kramnik's entry).
He lost the Classical title in 2000 to his own former student, Vladimir Kramnik. In 1997, he lost a landmark match to IBM's Deep Blue computer, a milestone moment for artificial intelligence.
Playing Style
Relentless and dynamic — Kasparov paired encyclopedic opening preparation with fierce, high-energy attacking calculation, rarely content to settle for a quiet draw.
Notable Games
Kasparov vs. Topalov, "Kasparov's Immortal"
A dazzling attacking combination, including his own king marching into the open board, widely regarded as one of the greatest games ever played.
Fun Facts
- He held the world's #1 rating for a record total of 255 months.
- His 1997 loss to IBM's Deep Blue was a landmark moment in the history of artificial intelligence.
- He later became a prominent political activist and author.