Forty years ago, the world witnessed the most controversial chess match in history—the 1984-85 World Chess Championship between Garry Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov. What was meant to be a battle of intellect and strategy became a symbol of political struggle and Soviet power.

The match lasted five grueling months, the longest in championship history, before being abruptly halted without a winner. To this day, questions linger: Was it really about player exhaustion, or were there hidden forces at play?

A Shocking Announcement

For Russian-born chess grandmaster and émigré Gennadi “Genna” Sosonko, the moment the match was abandoned remains vivid.

“I couldn’t come to the Soviet Union, of course. I was an enemy as far as they were concerned,” he told CNN Sport. “I remember that day very well because I was in Switzerland with Viktor Korchnoi, helping him prepare for one of his own matches. We were listening to the Swiss radio, analyzing, when we heard that (FIDE President Florencio) Campomanes stopped the match.

‘Well, well, well, how is this possible?’”

The match had become more than just a game. It had taken on symbolic meaning:

• If Karpov won, it would affirm the dominance of the Soviet establishment.
• If Kasparov won, it would signal change—something new, fresh, and perhaps threatening.

Instead, after 48 games, no winner was declared. But why?

Chess in the Soviet Union: More Than Just a Game

In the Soviet Union, chess was not just a pastime—it was a national obsession.

“It was more than just a sport,” Sosonko explains. “Chess in Russia was a kind of religion.”

The dominance of Soviet players in the chess world was unparalleled. From 1948 to the end of the 20th century, FIDE organized 23 World Chess Championships. Only one, the 1972 match won by American Bobby Fischer, was not claimed by a Soviet or former-Soviet citizen.

Under Soviet leaders like Khrushchev, Brezhnev, and Andropov, chess was used as propaganda, much like hockey and soccer. Elite players were treated like royalty.

“The conditions for Soviet players were incomparable to those in the West,” Sosonko recalls. “They had carte blanche at restaurants, luxury hotels, and earned unbelievable fees in hard currency.”

At the heart of this system was Anatoly Karpov.

Karpov: The Soviet Champion

By 1984, Karpov had been world champion for a decade. He was more than just a chess player—he was a national symbol.

“He was a Russian from the Ural region and represented the Soviet Union with glamor,” Sosonko explains. “He was a god in Russia.”

As one of the few Soviet citizens allowed to play abroad and collect foreign prize money, Karpov was also among the wealthiest people in the country.

“He was one of only three or four people in the Soviet Union who had a Mercedes. One was Brezhnev, another was (singer) Vladimir Vysotsky, and the third was Karpov,” Sosonko says.

His privileges were unimaginable to the average Soviet citizen.

Kasparov: The Outsider

If Karpov was the embodiment of the Soviet establishment, Kasparov was its challenger.

“He had a couple of weaknesses in the eyes of the big Party guys,” Sosonko notes. “Namely, he was not Russian—he was half-Jewish and half-Armenian, from Baku. And the Soviet Union was very antisemitic.”

Unlike Karpov, who was closely tied to the Communist Party, Kasparov represented something different.

“He wasn’t a dissident, but he was young, ambitious, and connected with people who weren’t for the regime,” Sosonko says.

Even in their playing styles, the contrast was clear:

• Karpov played conservatively, slowly building up his position.
• Kasparov was aggressive, dynamic, and preferred quick victories.

“No one was indifferent,” says American grandmaster Andrew Soltis. “You were either a Karpov fan or a Kasparov fan—there was no middle ground.”

A Marathon Match Turns Controversial

The championship followed the old rules: The first to win six games would be crowned champion, with draws not counting toward the total.

Early Domination by Karpov

• After nine games and 25 days, Karpov led 4-0.
• The next 17 games ended in draws, keeping the score stagnant.
• Karpov finally won game 27, pushing his lead to 5-0—just one win away from defending his title.

Kasparov’s Comeback

But Karpov was faltering. Mistakes crept into his game. In game 32, Kasparov finally won his first match.

• Another 14 games were drawn.
• In games 47 and 48, Kasparov won two more times, bringing the score to 5-3.

Karpov, once dominant, was now struggling.

The Match Is Stopped

After 48 exhausting games, FIDE President Florencio Campomanes made a shocking announcement: The match was being abandoned.

The official reason? Player exhaustion—particularly Karpov’s deteriorating health.

• He had lost 22 pounds over the course of the match.
• He struggled to sleep, staying awake later and later as the match dragged on.

But many questioned whether this was the real reason.

A Hidden Agenda?

Campomanes’ decision to halt the match has been debated ever since.

Was FIDE Under Soviet Influence?

“FIDE was completely under the influence of the Soviet Union,” Sosonko claims. “We knew that Campomanes was on their side.”

Though current FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky disputes this, there were undeniable Soviet ties.

A KGB Connection?

Some even speculated that Campomanes was a KGB agent.

While Sosonko dismisses this as an oversimplification, he acknowledges:

• “He was on the Soviet side in all aspects.”
• “There was this invisible hand benefiting Karpov.”

Deliberate Delays

Soltis points to mysterious postponements as evidence of bias.

“Normally, players could only delay a game for medical reasons,” he explains. “But there were unexplained delays ordered by officials. These always seemed to benefit Karpov.”

Campomanes’ reputation shifted during the match. Initially seen as independent, he was later viewed as working in favor of the Soviets.

The Aftermath: Kasparov’s Legacy

While the 1984-85 championship ended without a winner, history had the final say.

• Later that year, Kasparov defeated Karpov in a rematch to become the youngest world champion in history.
• He then beat Karpov again in the next three World Championship matches.

Today, he is regarded as one of the greatest chess players of all time.

Politics and Chess: Then and Now

The Soviet Union may be gone, but Russia’s use of sports as political propaganda remains.

Soltis notes, “Russia is still trying to use sports, including chess, as a political weapon. A leopard doesn’t change its spots.”

With tensions high in today’s geopolitical climate, the echoes of the 1984-85 championship still resonate. It was more than just a chess match—it was a battle for the future.

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When Vladimir Putin became acting president of Russia on December 31, 1999, he was an enigma to many. A former KGB officer with a quiet demeanor, he rose to prominence with minimal fanfare, ultimately becoming one of the most powerful leaders in the world. This article explores how Putin’s tough childhood and strategic rise through the ranks of Soviet and Russian politics propelled him to the Kremlin.

A Surprising New Leader

On the last day of the 20th century, Russian president Boris Yeltsin stunned the nation by announcing his resignation. In a televised address, Yeltsin declared, “Russia must enter the new millennium with new politicians, new faces, new intelligent, strong, and energetic people.” His presidency, marred by corruption, political instability, and economic challenges, had become increasingly unpopular. Though he played a key role in the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991, his leadership had left Russia in turmoil as it transitioned from a state-run economy to a free-market one.

At midnight, Putin, then prime minister, addressed the nation as acting president. Calm and composed, he promised there would be no power vacuum, warning that any lawbreaking would be “decisively crushed.” In stark contrast to the erratic behavior of Yeltsin, whose frequent health issues and alcohol problems made headlines, Putin presented a more disciplined, fit, and sober image—qualities that endeared him to many Russians tired of uncertainty.

Putin’s Stealthy Rise

Putin’s ascent to power was rapid and unexpected. In August 1999, he was appointed prime minister, despite being largely unknown to the public. A former KGB agent, he had been plucked from relative obscurity. By the time he became acting president in December of the same year, he had earned popularity for his tough stance on the war in Chechnya, a separatist region in Russia.

In March 2000, Putin secured the presidency, winning nearly 53% of the vote in the first round of elections. With Russia seeking stability, his message of restoring strength and order resonated deeply. The new leader of the world’s largest country, Putin, though previously a shadowy figure, had positioned himself as the strongman who could restore Russia’s power and dignity.

A Man of Action: From Humble Beginnings

Vladimir Putin was born in 1952 in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg), seven years after the city had endured a brutal siege during World War II. His older brother died during the siege, and his parents barely survived. Raised in a cramped communal apartment infested with rats and cockroaches, Putin’s childhood was marked by hardship and resilience. He often recalled having to fight rats in the hallway, a story he would later use to symbolize his rise from adversity.

Putin’s childhood friend, Maria Osorina, described him as a small, thin boy who had to toughen up to survive in the tough environment. “It was survival of the fittest,” she said. “He was determined to be strong so he wouldn’t get beaten up.” His parents, while deeply loving, were emotionally restrained. Putin’s father was known for his cold demeanor, and his mother’s affection was similarly reserved.

Despite these tough conditions, Putin excelled academically. He developed a keen intellect and a desire to keep a low profile, which would serve him well later in life. A schoolmate recalled that Putin was never the center of attention, preferring to influence events from behind the scenes. “He was a man of deeds, not words,” said Sergei Kudrov, a former classmate. “He was an introvert—nothing like Yeltsin, who sought the spotlight.”

The KGB and a Life in the Shadows

From a young age, Putin harbored a fascination with the KGB, the Soviet Union’s intelligence agency. Inspired by the 1968 Soviet spy film The Shield and the Sword, which depicted a Russian double agent during World War II, Putin dreamed of serving his country as an undercover operative. He pursued this ambition by studying law and later joining the KGB, where he spent over 16 years living a double life as an intelligence officer.

During the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, Putin was stationed in East Germany. The collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991 left him at a crossroads, but his loyalty to Russia and the KGB remained unwavering. Shortly thereafter, Putin returned to Leningrad, where he became deputy to the new mayor, Anatoly Sobchak. This role marked the beginning of his political career. After Sobchak’s political defeat, Putin was brought to Moscow, where his ascent within the Yeltsin administration accelerated.

The Kremlin’s Stealthy Strategist

By 1999, Putin had become a key figure in the Russian government, serving as prime minister under Yeltsin. His rise was swift and strategic, as he positioned himself as a reliable, strong leader capable of guiding Russia out of its chaos. Unlike Boris Yeltsin, whose unpredictable behavior and health problems had made him an unreliable figure, Putin projected an image of calm authority.

Putin’s friend, Maria Osorina, noted that his leadership style was a “breath of fresh air” compared to previous Russian leaders. “He is the first leader since the Revolution that I really like,” she said. “He’s the first one I’m not ashamed of.”

A Quarter-Century of Power

Over the next two decades, Putin solidified his grip on power, becoming Russia’s longest-serving leader since Joseph Stalin. By 2024, Putin, now 72, has served as president for more than a quarter-century. While opposition to his rule has largely disappeared, he remains a dominant figure in Russian politics, with few obstacles to his continued reign.

Putin’s rise from a modest, tough childhood in Leningrad to the presidency of Russia is a testament to his resilience, strategic mind, and ability to adapt to the political winds. Whether beloved or despised, Putin’s grip on power is unlikely to loosen anytime soon, making him one of the most enduring and enigmatic figures in modern global politics.

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