Karpov-Kasparov: the Grudge Match?

For those unaware, it has recently been announced that Kasparov and Karpov will renew their rivalry with a new twelve-game match, consisting of four rapid games and eight blitz games. This is meant to commemorate the 25th anniversary of their first world championship match in 1984, played in the Hall of Columns of the Trade Union House in Moscow. Though FIDE President Florencio Campomanes may have made the controversial decision to pull the plug on that encounter, leaving it the only such match that went undecided, do not expect a similar result on this anniversary.

Anatoly Karpov vs Garry Kasparov in their

Far from being the bitter adversaries you might expect, these players are on friendly terms, though we can be sure all affection will temporarily be forgotten once blood starts to spill on the battlefield. If you hope to witness these living legends duke it out, perhaps for the last time, book a ticket to Valencia, Spain for September 21st-24th.

In honour of the occasion, we have compiled some head-to-head statistics, with thanks going to Jeff Sonas for his assistance.

*Only match games are tabulated here, with tournament encounters not counting.

World Championship matches

Rating development

Comparison of rating progression by year

Comparison of rating progression by age

For those noting a gap for Kasparov in the graphs above, you will recall he was omitted from the 1994 FIDE rating list, after playing his World Championship match with Nigel Short.

We can also provide a comparison of unofficial rapid ratings between Kasparov and Karpov, as follows (with credit going to Stefan Fischl for providing the statistics):

With Kasparov suffering defeat at the hands of Karpov in their most recent rapid match, played in 2002 in New York, you can be sure he will be looking to set the record straight on his abilities at faster time controls. If the Credit Suisse Zurich Blitz of 2006 is any indication, however, the match in September should be hotly contested by both sides. Enjoy the show!

Kasparov (left) and Karpov (right), with 14th World Champion Vladimir Kramnik...

... and with the reigning World Champion Viswanathan Anand last week in Zurich

Official video for the Kasparov-Karpov match in Valencia 2009 (Spanish)

• Official event web site (Spanish)