Anatoly Karpov vs Garry Kasparov · World Chess Championship, Moscow, 1985 · Sicilian Defense, Scheveningen Variation · 0-1
Game 16 of the 1985 World Chess Championship between Karpov and Kasparov is one of the most famous games in championship history. Kasparov, the challenger, sacrifices material repeatedly to create two passed pawns on the queenside. The position becomes a study in compensation — Kasparov's two bishops and mobile pawn chain versus Karpov's extra material. Kasparov's bishop pair, particularly the dark-squared bishop on b7, becomes an unstoppable force as the game reaches its climax. Karpov resigned in a position where, despite being ahead on material, his pieces were completely dominated by Kasparov's strategic vision. Kasparov went on to win the match and become World Champion, ending Karpov's decade-long reign. This game perfectly encapsulates the difference in their styles.