Karpov had a marked preference for positional play, although, in his own
words, “if my opponent offers sharp play, I do not object.” Karpov had
no soft spots that anyone could discern — an alleged weakness against
‘romantic’ openings was less of a handicap than the openings some chose
against him.
Opening
Karpov has always embraced the need for deep preparation. Here he digs
deep into a position that was all the rage at the time.
Something more typical of Karpov: an undogmatic treatment of a sharp attacking line.
Karpov often played to retain a small initiative with control, even when
playing attacking lines.
Middlegame
Karpov’s best games often have that air of inevitability about them that
we associate with Capablanca. Spassky handles IQP positions as well as
anybody, but Karpov takes his position apart here without allowing a
whisper of counterplay.
I’ve always liked Karpov’s willingness to sacrifice the exchange; he had
a keen feel for when the Rooks were more clumsy than capable.
Kasparov rather unwisely announced that the winner of Linares 1994 would be
considered ‘World Tournament Champion’. Challenge accepted… Karpov’s
victory there, twenty years after becoming world champion, was one of
the greatest of all time. On the way, he played the dry English Opening as though
he was Adolf Anderssen.
Endgame
A whole book has been written about Karpov’s endgame technique. Here is
one immaculate example from among many.
His greatest achievement in the endgame was likely this victory against
Kasparov. He deftly avoided a blockade of the position and showed the
agility of his Knight.
The field at Linares 1994 was one of the strongest ever, and Kasparov prior to the event commented that the winner could call himself “world champion of tournament chess”. Karpov’s reply was not recorded, unless it was his performance at the board, winning by a street, setting a tournament performance record and winning this game against the teenaged Topalov: