A fierce fighter who played two world championship matches against Karpov (1978 and 1981) and remained a top player into his seventies. Korchnoi is one of the greatest defenders and counter-attackers in chess history.
Korchnoi survived the siege of Leningrad as a child and became four-time Soviet champion. In 1976 he left the Soviet Union and later settled in Switzerland. As a stateless player he won the right to challenge Karpov in 1978.
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Baguio and Merano
Their 1978 match in Baguio, Philippines, was played until one player won six games. Karpov led 5–2, Korchnoi fought back to 5–5, and Karpov won the next game to keep his title. Korchnoi challenged again in 1981 but lost. He kept playing elite tournaments for decades more, still beating top grandmasters in his late seventies.
Did you know?
♞Fact #1Tap to revealKorchnoi levelled the 1978 match at 5–5 after trailing 2–5.
♝Fact #2Tap to revealHe was still competing at a high level past the age of 80.
Three lessons from Korchnoi for your own games
1Defence can be active and aggressive
2Never stop working on your game
3Fighting spirit wins points
Viktor Korchnoi’s games
Watch the featured game replay itself, or pick any game below. Every game opens move by move with engine analysis.