4 Game-Changing World Chess Championship Matches

Join us on the journey through time to explore the unforgettable clashes that have shaped the world of chess.

Chess history is rich with epic battles and pivotal moments that have shaped the game we know today. In this text, we delve into four world championship matches that stand as significant milestones: the inaugural official match of 1886, the iconic "Match of the Century" in 1972, the intense unlimited match of 1984, and the latest thrilling contest in 2023.

Chigorin, Lasker, Pillsbury, Steinitz during St. Petersburg chess tournament (1895)International Chess Federation (FIDE)

1886: The First Official World Chess Championship

In 1884, negotiations began between Johannes Zukertort, a Polish-born British chess master, and Wilhelm Steinitz, a Bohemian-Austrian (later American) player, to play the first official World Chess Championship match. With no International Chess Federation to supervise, the players had to secure their own funding and organization. After three years, they finally reached an agreement, and the match took place in 1886.

Steinitz and Zukertort During Their World Championship Match (1886) by Harper's WeeklyInternational Chess Federation (FIDE)

The match was played across the American cities of New York, St. Louis, and New Orleans, with the champion being the first to win 10 games.

Wilhelm SteinitzInternational Chess Federation (FIDE)

Despite Zukertort taking an early lead, Steinitz emerged victorious with a score of 12½–7½ (ten wins, five draws, five losses), becoming the first official World Chess Champion.

This was the first time a chess match was recognized as a world championship. Before, several unofficial matches took place, such as the famous contests between Howard Staunton and Pierre Charles Fournier de Saint-Amant in 1843, and Adolf Anderssen against various opponents. These matches were major contests but lacked official status. Now, the champion had to be defeated in a formal match to relinquish the title, creating a clear line of succession and enhancing the prestige of the title.

Envelope with a caricature and stamp commemorating the World Championship Match Fischer vs Spassky (1972) by FIDE archiveInternational Chess Federation (FIDE)

1972: The Match of the Century

In 1972, during the Cold War, Reykjavik, Iceland, became the world's focus as American challenger Bobby Fischer faced Soviet champion Boris Spassky in the "Match of the Century." The stakes were immense, with a record-breaking prize pool of $125,000, dwarfing other sports’ rewards. Yet, Fischer’s demands nearly derailed this historic encounter. Despite having already signed a contract, Fischer refused to start the match.

Chess Champion Bobby Fischer (1962) by Carl MydansLIFE Photo Collection

He didn't want others to profit from it and demanded 30 percent of the ticket sales and a ban on television broadcasts. The match was saved by James Derrick Slater, a British investment banker and chess enthusiast who increased the prize pool to $250,000.

The New York Times Report on the Chess Match of the Century Book (1973) by Richard RobertsInternational Chess Federation (FIDE)

The showdown between an American and a Soviet during the Cold War drew unparalleled media coverage, with major outlets present. Despite Fischer’s objections, the match was broadcast to 50 million viewers.

Icelandic Chess Federation's World Championship Match Commemorative Program (1972) by Icelandic Chess FederationInternational Chess Federation (FIDE)

The contest lasted 21 games, and Fischer won 12½ to 8½, becoming the eleventh World Chess Champion. This victory propelled chess into the mass media spotlight.

In an ironic twist, Fischer later found his final resting place in Reykjavik. A former fugitive from the U.S., he gained Icelandic citizenship in 2005 and lived there until his death in 2008. His legacy, especially the 1972 match, cemented Iceland's place in chess history.

The chess table from Karpov vs Kasparov match (1984) by Photo by Viktor BoykoInternational Chess Federation (FIDE)

1984: The Unlimited Battle

Bobby Fischer ceased competing after his 1972 victory. Discontent with the proposed 1975 match conditions, he forfeited the world championship to Anatoly Karpov, who was proclaimed the 12th World Chess Champion without play.

Karpov and Kasparov playing their unlimited world championship match (1984) by Photo by Boris DolmatovskyInternational Chess Federation (FIDE)

In 1984, after a decade of supremacy, 33-year-old Anatoly Karpov faced off against 21-year-old Garry Kasparov. This match had no game limit, and the first to score six victories would claim the World Champion title.

This epic battle spanned 48 games over five months, becoming the lengthiest world championship match in history and the only one left unfinished.

The chess table from Karpov vs Kasparov match (1984) by Photo by Viktor BoykoInternational Chess Federation (FIDE)

In the picture is the very table where history unfolded. The chess set, clock, and flags—all were present when the match was underway in Moscow’s Pillar Hall of the House of the Unions, the city’s oldest concert hall.

The match began strongly for Karpov, who led 4-0 after nine games. Kasparov then found his stride, with the next 17 games ending in draws. Karpov won his fifth game in Game 27, nearly securing the title. He missed a winning opportunity in Game 31 and instead settled for a draw, subsequently losing the next game. Fourteen more draws followed over two months.

Medal from the first Karpov vs. Kasparov world chess championship match, Photo by Victor Boyko, 1984, From the collection of: International Chess Federation (FIDE)
Show lessRead more

Kasparov then clinched back-to-back victories in Games 47 and 48, narrowing the score to 5-3 and seizing momentum. After five grueling months, Karpov reportedly lost 10 kilograms. FIDE President Florencio Campomanes intervened, halting the match over health concerns.

Garry Kasparov on the cover of 64 Chess Magazine (1986) by From FIDE archiveInternational Chess Federation (FIDE)

The rematch in 1985 adopted a best-of-24-games format. Garry Kasparov won by 13-11 and became the 13th World Chess Champion.

The 1984 match concluded the era of unlimited matches. Nowadays, the champion is decided over 14 games with classical time control and a rapid tiebreak in case of a 7-7 tie.

World Chess Champion Ding Liren (2023-05-01) by Stev BonhageInternational Chess Federation (FIDE)

2023: Ding Becomes Champion

On October 31, 2022, the reigning World Champion Magnus Carlsen officially confirmed that he would not defend his title as Classical World Champion against his challenger Ian Nepomniachtchi. The era of Carlsen, who held the title since 2013 and firmly established himself as the world #1 player came to an end.

World Chess Championship Match Poster - Ian Nepomniachtchi, International Chess Federation, 2023, From the collection of: International Chess Federation (FIDE)
,
World Chess Championship Match Poster - Ding Liren, International Chess Federation, 2023, From the collection of: International Chess Federation (FIDE)
Show lessRead more

The Chinese Grandmaster Ding Liren, the runner-up in the Candidates Tournament, received the unexpected opportunity to play for the highest recognition in the chess world. The match took place in Astana, Kazakhstan, from 9 April to 30 April 2023, and was a best of 14 games, plus tiebreaks. 

Ian Nepomniachtchi vs. Ding Liren world chess championship tiebreak (2023) by Photo by Stev BonhageInternational Chess Federation (FIDE)

After a 7–7 score tie in the classical time format — in which five of the first seven games were decisive — the match proceeded to tiebreaks with rapid time format.

After draws in the first three games, Ding Liren played boldly and won with black in the final game to become the 17th World Chess Champion. After a succession of women's world chess champions, China has finally secured its first absolute world champion.

Medal of the 2023 World Chess Championship, FIDE, 2023, From the collection of: International Chess Federation (FIDE)
Show lessRead more

The 2023 world championship match marked a historic shift, not only ending the era of Carlsen but also establishing a momentous milestone for China. Both chess crowns now belong to the country: Ding Liren is the world champion, and Ju Wenjun is the women's world champion.

Poster of FIDE World Championship Ding vs. Gukesh (2024) by FIDEInternational Chess Federation (FIDE)

2024: The Next Iconic Match

As we've explored the most memorable matches in chess history, we arrive at the present. Which match will be the next to join this list? The upcoming Ding Liren vs. Gukesh D contest in Singapore is a strong contender. Mark your calendar for 20 November - 15 December.

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
Explore more
Related theme
Chess
Chess history, its brilliant minds and what lies ahead: Part 1
View theme

Interested in Natural history?

Get updates with your personalized Culture Weekly

You are all set!

Your first Culture Weekly will arrive this week.

Home
Discover
Play
Nearby
Favorites