Final Game of Chess Match Adjourned

The final game of the world chess championship was adjourned Friday in Seville, Spain. Champion Gary Kasparov, who needs a victory to retain his title, has an extra pawn, but it is uncertain if his advantage is enough to win. The game will be finished today.

Karpov’s sensational victory in the 23rd game Thursday broke a string of six consecutive draws and gave him the lead in the match, 12-11. If Karpov can draw the adjourned 24th game, he will regain the championship crown he lost to Kasparov in 1985. Karpov was champion for 10 years until he lost the second of his four matches with Kasparov.

Playing white, Kasparov used the Reti Opening for the first time in the match on Friday. He obtained no advantage from the opening and made little progress in the early stages of the middlegame. However, he later managed to lure Karpov into accepting a pawn sacrifice. Kasparov’s pieces rushed toward Karpov’s king, and Karpov gave back two pawns to fend off the attack. At adjournment, Karpov has a solid defensive formation.