Draw most help to Karpov

Press, 14 October 1985, Page 28

Draw most help to Karpov

NZPA-Reuter Moscow The world chess champion, Anatoly Karpov, easily neutralised the advantage of his challenger, Garry Kasparov, to gain a 22-move draw in the fifteenth game of their rematch for the title. The match is still tied- at two wins each, with 11 draws. The score of 7.5 to 7.5 suits Karpov who only needs a 12-12 deadlock to retain his title.

Kasparov, playing white, was clearly surprised by Karpov’s opening order of moves. Kasparov pondered for 45 minutes before finding a pawn sacrifice to keep up some pressure.

Karpov returned the extra material in order to get his king to safety and then neutralised the microscopic remnants of the advantage of the white pieces. The result is a boost for Karpov, who has had difficulties in the opening stages of thefomes so far. Such an easy oay with black not

only brings the end of the match closer, but increases the need for Kasparov to win soon if he is to have a chance at gaining the title. Although Kasparov has seemed to hold the edge in preparation and inventiveness in the middle stage of the match, Karpov has come to the last two games armed with new ideas and on Saturday played quickly and confidently. Kasparov now has to regroup and find new weaponry to create difficulties for Karpov, or the new rules forcing him to an outright points victory will induce him to take great risks to produce the point edge he needs. The English grandmaster, Raymond Keene, called the game “a minor triumph” for Karpov for securing the desired result with the fruits of his excellent preparation. The next game, with Karpov to play white,, is scheduled to begin Midweek.