The
life story of 75‑year‑old Viktor Korchnoi
is one of chess’s most interesting biographies. Once top
Soviet grand master, he abandoned the Soviet Union shortly
before playing against Anatoly Karpov for the world championship.
That match added one more chilling chapter to the cold
war.
When
Karpov, the loyal communist, played against the deserter
Korchnoi, chess became a metaphor of the world’s division.
To this day, the two men refuse to talk to each other
or even shake hands.
In
1978, when they played for the world title, the organizers
did not know under what flag Korchnoi should play. “I
have an idea,” said Karpov. “Why doesn’t he play under
a white flag with the word TRAITOR on it?” That sentiment
hints at the atmosphere during the ‘78 world championship.
Korchnoi
lost against Karpov in 1978 and 1981. Korchnoi never recovered
from those defeats. Maybe that’s the reason he remains
a very active player. His last appearance took place Feb.
5 in a little town near to Berlin called Fredershof.
The
ex‑communist simultaneously played 25 games, all
with the white pieces, and all against amateurs. Korchnoi
won 20 and lost five.
Today
we present the most spectacular match of them all. It
is a wonderful game. Thanks to his spontaneity, Korchnoi’s
rival, Volker Hans Ludsteck, managed to surprise the grand
master in the opening. Korchnoi just did not know how
to react. He never managed to interpret the position correctly
and Ludsteck, an amateur player of the German club, SC
Pasing von 1948 e.V., did not let him free from his executioner’s
hands.
