Karpov on Karpov: Memoirs of a Chess World Champion [Hardcover]

Anatoly Karpov (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Karpov, the Russian who gained the title of world chess champion after American Bobby Fisher relinquished it in 1975, then 10 years later lost the crown to his fellow countryman Gary Kasparov, proves that chess is not a game. It is war, with psychological strategy as important as the moves made on the board: Karpov maintains that an expert does not play against the pieces, but against his opponent, and is guided by principles intrinsic to the game, "the internal laws by which the game lives." He studied with former champion Mikhail Botvinnick. Furiously competitive, Karpov regrets most that he never played Fisher, whom he admires, and is not at all gracious about his toughest opponents, Victor Korchnoi and Kasparov, claiming that the latter did not win, but that he himself lost. The former champion, who continues to play, ends on an upbeat note: "Now I am faced with a new ascent." Photos not seen by PW.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

Karpov (b. 1951) was the world chess champion between 1975 and 1985. Garry Kasparov, the current champion, dethroned him, and the two ideologically opposed Russians have had a bitter rivalry ever since. This book may be Karpov's way of responding to Kasparov's autobiography Unlimited Challenge ( LJ 11/1/90). The final 38 pages are devoted exclusively to describing their extensive competitions and disagreements. Karpov also offers insightful commentary on numerous other chess legends such as his long-standing challenger Victor Korchnai and American Bobby Fischer, whom he was scheduled to play in a heralded match that never took place. Recommended for libraries with large chess collections.
- Will Hepfer, SUNY at Buffalo Libs.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 8 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum (January 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689120605
• ISBN-13: 978-0689120602
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #130,142 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful insight, September 3, 2003

By 

Peter June (Bellingham, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Karpov on Karpov: Memoirs of a Chess World Champion (Hardcover)

In his autobiography Karpov details everything from his early childhood to his rivalries with Korchnoi and Kasparov. The fluency of the book, however, is flawed and there is a virtual chasm between his childhood and rest-of-life. That said, I think this is one of the best autobiographies I've ever read. Karpov tells about his spiritual approach to the game, his gentle and kind personality, and most importantly, his match with Korchnoi.
To be honest, I think that the description of the match with Korchnoi (actually all their matches) is one of the best passages in a book I've read yet. The absolutely intense labor, momentum of the match, and conspiracies surrounding all of his games are fascinating and intriguing. If you are going to buy a book on Karpov or any autobiography, but this one.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Near Masterpiece, April 6, 2002

By 

Samuel Leyva (McAllen, TX) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Karpov on Karpov: Memoirs of a Chess World Champion (Hardcover)

The first half of this book is startlingly well written, literary, and even sometimes quite humorous, as when Karpov recounts the story about his mother checking up on him after he had been forbidden to think about chess. As the book nears the present, however, Karpov loses the thread of his own story and begins to wander (some would put it stronger than that) in his analysis of Kasparov and their bitter rivalry. One wishes, therefore, that Karpov had waited til he was well into his 50's before attempting the sort thing he tries here; because his childhood is recalled with vivid insight and the point of view that emerges is astonishing: he just happened to find himself World Champion one day! On the other hand, I can easily imagine chess players not liking this book at all since it has no chess games in it; but that really doesn't matter if one is fascinated by the subject (as I am). I only mention the fact to warn people who might be expecting something other than what they will find here: an autobiography. That said, this is a very good book from the former World Champion which ends with him hopefully predicting his future re-claiming of the world title (the book came out in 1990). You can read that last part any way you like or ignore it, but there it is: Karpov is a romantic who had to somehow make his way through the demi-human universe of Soviet Chess. A number of fans will undoubtedly disagree with this assessment, but one can tell when someone is lying about the unacceptable deeds of their past: Karpov's memoir is, therefore, touching at times, as his telling of the events surrounding the aborted match with Fischer amply demonstrates.... I recomend this book to anyone who has a heart, and, wants to know more about the history of the royal game in our times.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Successful Autobiography, March 19, 2010

By 

Christopher Ammons (Pittsburgh) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Karpov on Karpov: Memoirs of a Chess World Champion (Hardcover)

Karpov explains himself. He recounts the pivotal events of his chess career. I was impressed by how honest the writing was, what pure insights into how Karpov's mind works. A relatively easy read without being pointlessly simple. This is a great book for someone who wants 5-10 hours of light reading, espescially for chess players!