The world of competitive chess may conjure up images of silent concentration and deep strategic contemplation, but the history of the World Chess Championships proves that even this cerebral pursuit is not immune to moments of pure bizarreness. From volcanic disruptions to bathroom controversies, the road to chess’s greatest title has been anything but predictable.
Anand’s Volcanic Predicament
In 2010, Viswanathan Anand found his bid for a fourth World Championship title thrown into chaos by an unlikely culprit – Iceland’s Eyjafjallajokull volcano. As the volcano spewed ash and grounded flights across Europe, Anand was left stranded in Frankfurt, his carefully laid plans in disarray. Undeterred, the champion embarked on a grueling 40-hour road trip through Austria, Hungary, Romania, and finally into Bulgaria, combating inhospitable toilets, torrential rain, and treacherous potholes along the way.
Despite the odds stacked against him, including his opponent Veselin Topalov’s access to a formidable 112-core computer cluster, Anand persevered. In a nail-biting finish, he clinched the title in the final game, securing his legacy as one of chess’s all-time greats.
Fischer’s Cold War Showdown
The 1972 World Championship between American Bobby Fischer and Soviet Boris Spassky was a clash of titans that transcended the chessboard. Set against the backdrop of the Cold War, the “Match of the Century” was imbued with political and ideological significance. Fischer’s path to the championship was mired in controversy, requiring the intervention of no less than the US Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger, to ensure his participation.
Once the games began, Fischer’s mercurial nature took center stage. He forfeited the second game over a dispute about TV cameras, fell behind 0-2, and appeared on the brink of conceding the match. But in a stunning turnaround, Fischer roared back, unleashing brilliant and unconventional play to seize the advantage. His virtuoso performance in Game 13, featuring a stunning bishop sacrifice, left Spassky reeling. Fischer’s eventual triumph ended 24 years of Soviet domination and cemented his status as a chess icon.
Toiletgate Tarnishes Reunification
In 2006, chess’s long-awaited reunification match between Classical champion Vladimir Kramnik and FIDE champion Veselin Topalov was overshadowed by a scandal that became known as “Toiletgate.” Topalov’s manager alleged that Kramnik was making suspiciously frequent trips to the bathroom, the only area not under video surveillance, implying that he might be consulting a hidden computer.
The accusations escalated, with Topalov’s camp claiming the moves matched a popular chess engine’s recommendations 78% of the time. Bathrooms were inspected, cables scrutinized, and tensions reached a boiling point. Kramnik even forfeited a game in protest over the toilet arrangements. In the end, Kramnik prevailed in a rapid tiebreak, but the controversy left a bitter taste and strained relations between the two players for years to come.
Karpov vs Korchnoi: A Hypnotic Duel
The 1978 World Championship between Anatoly Karpov and Viktor Korchnoi had all the ingredients of a Cold War thriller. Karpov, the darling of the Soviet establishment, faced off against Korchnoi, a defector reviled by the USSR. The psychological battles began before a single pawn was moved, with Korchnoi demanding that Karpov’s chair be X-rayed, fearing a hidden device to influence his thoughts.
But the true mind games were yet to come. Korchnoi accused Karpov’s hypnotherapist, Vladimir Zukhar, of beaming distracting rays at him during games, forcing him to wear mirrored sunglasses for protection. Chairs were examined, yogurt deliveries scrutinized for coded messages, and the tension reached fever pitch when Korchnoi poked Zukhar in the nose after a particularly frustrating loss. Through it all, Karpov kept his composure, eking out a narrow victory to retain his title in a match that blurred the lines between chess and psychodrama.
Kasparov and Karpov’s Eternal Struggle
Garry Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov’s rivalry defined an era in chess, their contrasting styles and personalities symbolic of a changing Russia. Their 1984 World Championship match became a test of endurance, with Karpov racing to an early 4-0 lead before Kasparov dug in, forcing a string of draws. As months passed and the score reached 5-3, FIDE President Florencio Campomanes took the extraordinary step of terminating the match, citing player exhaustion.
The chess world was in uproar, but Kasparov channeled his frustration into a dominant performance in the 1985 rematch, becoming the youngest World Champion. Over the next five years, Kasparov and Karpov would battle for supremacy, none more dramatic than their 1987 encounter. Trailing 12-11 in the final game, Kasparov unleashed a daring attack, sacrificing pawns to unleash his heavy pieces. In the final position, with both players racing against the clock, Kasparov’s audacity triumphed. He would go on to reign as World Champion for 15 years, his matches with Karpov defining one of chess’s greatest rivalries.
From volcano-dodging journeys to paranormal accusations, the World Chess Championships have delivered more than their fair share of bizarre and dramatic moments. These twists of fate, clashes of will, and flashes of brilliance are reminders that even in a game of pure intellect, the human element reigns supreme. As kings, pawns, and champions clash, chess continues to surprise, delight, and confound, cementing its status as the ultimate game of strategy and a theater of the unexpected.
