Karpov on Verge of Victory as 19th Game Adjourns

The 19th game of the world chess championship in Leningrad was adjourned Wednesday in a winning position for challenger Anatoly Karpov. The game will be completed today.

If Karpov can win the adjournment against champion Gary Kasparov, the match will be tied. At the moment, Kasparov leads, 4-3 in wins and 9 1/2-8 1/2 overall. Six wins or 12 1/2 points are necessary for victory. Kasparov will keep his title if the match ends in a 12-12 tie.

Only three games ago, Karpov’s defeat seemed certain. He had won only one of the first 16 games and needed four wins and four draws in the remaining eight games to regain the championship he lost to Kasparov in 1985. Incredibly, Karpov reeled off victories in the 17th and 18th games, and he should win the 19th, too. He is on the verge of the greatest comeback in championship history.

Wednesday’s game began with the Gruenfeld Defense, which Kasparov has used nine times in the 10 games when he has played black. Karpov emerged from the opening with a small advantage, due to his strong d-pawn. At move 15, Kasparov incorrectly sacrificed material. Precise play by Karpov refuted the sacrifice and gave the challenger a winning position.