Classical World Championship 1995: Kasparov – Anand
Kasparov defended his PCA title against Viswanathan Anand on the 107th floor of the World Trade Center. Eight cautious draws opened the match before Anand drew first blood — and then Kasparov erupted, winning four of the next five to put the contest away.
◈Eight draws, then a spark
Staged high above Manhattan in an observation-deck arena, the match began with a record eight consecutive draws as both players guarded their preparation. Anand broke the deadlock in game nine, striking with the white pieces to take a surprise lead.
It was exactly the provocation Kasparov needed.
◈The champion's surge
Kasparov answered immediately in game ten and then rolled — winning games eleven, thirteen and fourteen as well, a devastating burst of four wins in five games built on razor-sharp opening novelties in the Sicilian and Ruy Lopez. Anand, one of the fastest and most gifted players alive, simply could not stem the tide.
Kasparov closed it out 10½–7½. The two would not meet for the undisputed crown; Anand's championship years lay a decade ahead, after Kasparov had left the stage.
◈Cross Table
| Player | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kasparov | ½ | ½ | ½ | ½ | ½ | ½ | ½ | ½ | 0 | 1 | 1 | ½ | 1 | 1 | ½ | ½ | ½ | ½ | 10½ |
| Anand | ½ | ½ | ½ | ½ | ½ | ½ | ½ | ½ | 1 | 0 | 0 | ½ | 0 | 0 | ½ | ½ | ½ | ½ | 7½ |
1 win · ½ draw · 0 loss — click a game number to replay it.