1.d4
Nf6
2.c4
c5
3.Nf3
cxd4
4.Nxd4
e6
5.g3
Note that although the game began 1 d4, we have reached an English by transposition. Games which begin with 1 d4 or 1 Nf3 can transpose into typical English formations..
5...Nc6
6.Bg2
Bc5
7.Nb3
Be7
8.Nc3
0-0
9.0-0
d6
10.Bf4
Nh5
11.e3!
"At the time the game was played, this move came as a valuable novelty. The idea of it seems very attractive. White opens the e-file for even more pressure on the opponent's central d6 and e6 pawns, which find themsleves under firm detention by their guards - the white foot soldiers on c4 and f4!" (Karpov)
11...Nxf4
12.exf4
Bd7
13.Qd2
Qb8
14.Rfe1
g6
To prevent f5 by White.
15.h4
a6
16.h5
b5
17.hxg6
hxg6
18.Nc5!
dxc5
[Karpov points out that after 18...Be8
19.Nxa6
(or even 19.Nxe6!?
fxe6
20.Rxe6
Rf6
21.Rae1
Rxe6
22.Rxe6
Bf7
23.Qe3
Qc8
24.Bxc6
) 19...Rxa6
20.cxb5
Rb6
21.bxc6
is promising]
19.Qxd7
Rc8
20.Rxe6!
This raises the game out of the ordinary. Karpov was not noted as a brilliant combinational player, but here he decides to please the crowd. [Not so clear was 20.Bxc6
Ra7!
21.Qd3
Rxc6
22.cxb5
c4
23.Qf3
Rc8
]
20...Ra7
21.Rxg6+
fxg6
[21...Kf8
22.Qh3
fxg6
23.Qh8+
Kf7
24.Bd5#
is mate.]
22.Qe6+
Kg7
23.Bxc6
Rd8
24.cxb5
Bf6
25.Ne4
Bd4
26.bxa6
Qb6
[26...Rxa6
27.Qe7+
Kg8
(27...Kh6?
28.Kg2
intending Rh1.) 28.Bd7
with the idea of Be6+.]
27.Rd1
Qxa6
28.Rxd4!
"A rare case - for the third time in one and the same game a rook offers itself for sacrifice! We cannot recall when there was previously such a case in grandmaster practice." (Karpov)
28...Rxd4
29.Qf6+
Kg8
30.Qxg6+
Kf8
31.Qe8+
Kg7
32.Qe5+
Kg8
33.Nf6+
Kf7
34.Be8+
Kf8
35.Qxc5+
Qd6
36.Qxa7
Qxf6
[After 36...Rd1+
37.Kg2
Rg1+
38.Kh3
(But not the disastrous 38.Kxg1?
Qd1+
39.Kg2
Qh1+
40.Kxh1
stalemate!) 38...Rh1+
39.Kg4
White wins.]
37.Bh5
Rd2
38.b3
Rb2
39.Kg2
Black resigned. " A beautiful game, isn't it? Not without reason did it win the bext Chess Informator competition for the best game." (Karpov) 1-0