The World Champion (Чемпион мира)

PALACE OF CULTURE FROM THE MACHINERY FACTORY

ZLATOUST, SOVIET UNION, 1961

The grandmaster left the queen exposed.

Must be plotting something.

You didn't take the queen. Why?

It's not sportsmanlike to take advantage of blunders.

Buddy,

champions don't forgive mistakes.

Now you're lost.

THIRTEEN YEARS LATER

SILENCE GAMES IN PROGRESS

HOUSE OF UNIONS MOSCOW, 1974

KARPOV - KORCHNOI 31 min. - 30 min.

ARBITERS

The final match is in accordance with the rules of FIDE.

I declare that the grandmaster Anatoly Karpov of the USSR

is the winner of the Candidates Tournament.

And will play the world championship against Bobby Fischer of the USA.

Thank you for the games, Korchnoi.

Bravo!

Thank you very much!

- It was incredible! - Thank you!

This is more than a game, Anatoly.

THE WORLD CHAMPION

USSR, DECEMBER 1974

CENTRAL CHESS CLUB OF THE SOVIET UNION

- How many sugar cubes? - Two.

I don't think the Hübner variation of the Nimzo-Indian works with Fischer.

- Why? He's just another player. - No, he's not just another.

He's an animal.

Spassky, had problems with this variation,

he played pawn f4 in the fifth game in 1972.

He should have moved pawn to h3.

Then Fischer would have played pawn g5.

- Knight f3. - Knight g6.

- Pawn g3. - Bishop d7.

- Rook b1. - Rook b8.

- Bishop d2. - Queen e7.

- Bishop c1. - Knight h5.

- Queen a3. - Castle. Going to take the pawn?

No, thanks. Pawn h4.

- Pawn g4. - Knight h2.

- King h7. - Then I take on a7.

- Rook a8. - Take on b7.

- Take on a2. - Bishop e2.

- Isn't the sacrifice on f4 dangerous? - No.

Then I play knight f6.

Pawn h5.

Wow!

Damn!

Let's set up the board.

It's looking like a very simple opening line.

Care must be taken with Fischer.

FISCHER, THE KING

The world is eager to know if Anatoly Karpov

will be able to reclaim the world title for the USSR.

BELGRADE, YUGOSLAVIA

We're with Karpov's last opponent,

Viktor Korchnoi, what's your opinion?

Well, Karpov is not that good.

I'm convinced I'm not inferior in strength and talent to him.

He...

His chess repertoire is limited.

So why did you lose the final of the Candidates Tournament to him?

What could I do if it was prearranged that Karpov would win?

USSR SPORTS COMMITTEE

Viktor Korchnoi, I understand your emotions,

but you are a communist.

What do you mean it was "prearranged"?

Who arranged that?

- It was a tough tournament. - Listen to me...

You made derogatory comments about the Soviet challenger

to the world championship title.

And you did it abroad, for the world to hear.

May I?

I...

I didn't mean to offend Anatoly, we are comrades.

But you did offend, comrade.

Before the Candidates Tournament,

you were offensive towards our grandmasters,

asking whether they supported Karpov or you.

And in a recent match against Tigran Petrosian,

you kicked him so hard under the table that you sent him to the hospital.

Do you know what your colleagues call you?

"The villain."

In the difficult post-war years,

Botvinnik was the first Soviet world champion,

and we kept the title for 30 years until Spassky lost to Fischer.

Do you understand the responsibility on Karpov's shoulders?

Here it is.

Tamara, what do you mean? I get 300, there's only 200 here.

Don't you read the newspapers? The grandmaster's salary has decreased.

WHAT A LACK OF SPORTSMANSHIP, GRANDMASTER!

I'm very sorry, Viktor Korchnoi.

Feel sorry for yourself, Grigory Naumovich.

APRIL 3, 1975 Anatoly, my dear!

The International Federation did not accept Fischer's ultimatum.

He withdrew from the competition.

You are the world champion. See the telegram.

Bobby Fischer demanded too much, his conditions were rejected.

What a piece of news, huh?

- Congratulations, Anatoly. - Thank you.

Stop the recording.

Anatoly Karpov, do you mind if we record again?

But now make a happier face.

What do you mean "happier face"?

I wanted to play.

But what nonsense is this, boy?

You are the champion!

And?

I would have preferred to play and lose, than to win in this way.

Anatoly...

I understand your feelings. But the country needs to celebrate.

We need a Soviet world champion.

You will be famous, you'll be an inspiration to the youth.

A little more joy, could you?

What does it cost? Come on, please.

Comrades,

I rejoice that the greatest chess title,

the so-called "chess crown",

belongs to our country.

Of course, I am fully aware

that my contribution to world chess is still small.

I have only recently entered the world chess elite.

The title carries with it many duties and responsibilities.

I will make every effort to fulfill them with dignity.

- Bye. - Bye.

Boys, straight home! See you on Tuesday.

They launched a new emblem of Karpov with a crown.

I really don't understand.

Why did Fischer refuse to play?

- Afraid of losing? - Don't be ridiculous.

Bobby would have crushed Karpov.

Anatoly is only champion on paper. The kid was lucky.

ROBERT J. FISCHER WORLD CHESS CHAMPION

YUGOSLAVIA ISLAND OF SVETI STEFAN

Hi, old chap.

- You're two minutes late. - Hello, Bobby.

Your watch is running fast.

That's impossible.

That's an old clock, running slow.

You know what?

People all over the world are looking forward to our match.

We have to play.

I'm ready. You know my conditions.

But with the conditions you've set, it's impossible.

They won't let me play in the West.

Then run away from your country and play.

It's my homeland. Why should I run?

Because you are a hostage.

If they find out about our conversation, you'll end up in a Gulag.

You're exaggerating.

I'm not telling you anything you don't already know.

If you wanna be the best

you have to be prepared to give everything.

- Chess is my life. - That's not enough, chap.

You have to go further than anyone else.

Leave everything you hold dear behind. Take a step forward.

You hear me?

What I hear is that

you're avoiding the match.

Scared of losing to me?

I like you, Anatoly.

But don't play my games with me.

I created the modern chess world.

What is it?

Mexican rattlesnake.

Good for general health. Have some.

Thanks, but I have to go. I'm playing in an hour.

Wait.

This is for you.

Look at it.

See this guy is playing against the devil.

They say Morphy found a winning move.

But he didn't have the time to tell anyone.

Lost his mind.

Thank you, Bobby.

Take care of yourself.

How far are you ready to go to be the best?

Are you ready to sell your soul?

MONTILLA FIRST PLACE

Thank you very much.

Thank you.

LIUBLIANA - PORTOROŽ FIRST PLACE

- It was a great game. - Thank you.

MILAN FIRST PLACE

SKOPJE FIRST PLACE

KARPOV WINS AGAIN

ANATOLY KARPOV, THE CHAMPION WHO EARNS HIS TITLE.

KARPOV WINS THE CHESS OSCAR FOR THE FOURTH TIME

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

You are the most active world champion, why?

I'm preparing for the next world match showdown.

Thank you very much. Thank you.

AMSTERDAM, 1976

Make love, not war!

No to armaments!

No to armaments!

No to nuclear tests!