For former world champion Anatoly Karpov, playing the game of chess at the highest level in the Philippines more than four decades ago led to the development of the sport in the Southeast Asian region
Back then, a young generation of Filipino woodpushers grew to love the sport.
But for him to win a title, Karpov felt that he needed to learn how to take a break.
Watching a game of basketball gave Karpov find his wits again and win his second world championship in Baguio City.
The 71-year-old Karpov, who was welcomed by Philippine Sports Commission chairman Richard Bachmann and Grandmaster Eugene Torre, vividly recalled that time during a visit to the Rizal Memorial Coliseum in Manila on Tuesday to meet and greet his fans and supporters.
Karpov remembered Soviet Chess Federation president Vitaly Sevastianov bringing him to the Araneta Coliseum so that they can watch the 1978 World Championship finals’ game between Russia and Yugoslavia.
He had fun watching the game, which saw Yugoslavia taking the crown from Russia with an 82-81 overtime win on Oct. 14, 1978.
This gave Karpov time collect his wits after his encounter with Victor Korchnoi got tied at 15.5-all, when the latter won Game no. 31 in 71 moves of a Queen’s Gambit Declined.
When he returned to the City of Pines, he had more time to relax and get ready for Game 32, winning it in 31 moves of the Classical Opening.
“The problem was not in my preparation. But it was more of mental health and psychology. I was kind of drained,” said Karpov.
He recalled that his winning drive returned after Karpov managed to get enough rest for his final game.
“The basketball team lost. But that brought back excitement with me watching the game,” added
“That game brought me excitement,” Karpov went on.
Karpov would eventually win five world championships, two of which were won in the Philippines, made possible with the support of Florencio Campomanes, the FIDE Deputy President for Asia between 1974 and 1982.
During that time, Campomanes was credited with organizing the 1978 Karpov-Kortchnoi World Championship Match in Baguio City.
Karpov, who is the 12th World Chess Champion from 1975 to 1985, and is a three-time FIDE World Champion (1993, 1996, 1998), recalled that interest in the game of chess eventually grew and exploded in the Philippines when he, Korchnoi and Bobby Fischer played here.
“(Chess in) the Philippines grew to the level of the top chess countries became of the level of games that were played here. Even after I had fought for the World Championships 20 times, six times in the Olympiad and eight times as a member of a team,” added Karpov.
Karpov’s visit to the country was first planned back in 2018 when Filipino GM Eugene Torre joined the sixth Vila de Platja D’ Aro International Chess Festival Battle of Legends in Spain with Karpov, former world title contender Ljubomir Ljubojevic of Yugoslavia, and four-time world seniors titlist Anatoly Vaisser of France.
But this was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns.
It finally became a reality when the Russian embassy contacted the City of Manila last year.
Returning to the City of Baguio will be one of Karpov’s plans in his return to the Philippines.
His visit drew a lot of excitement after chess aficionados coming all the way from Dasmarinas, Imus, and Carmona in Cavite braved the traffic just to get a glimpse of Karpov.
He was quickly whisked away, avoiding autograph seekers and excited fans, and was not around to view the film, “The Champion of the World.”
Also welcoming him to Manila was National Chess Federation of the Philippines president Prospero Pichay, executive director Jayson Gonzales, Russian Ambassador to the Philippines Marat Pavlov and Zuleika Lopez, chief of staff for the Office of the Vice President.
After retiring from playing chess in 2012, Karpov has done other things like heading the Commission for Ecological Safety and Environmental Protection of the Civic Chamber of the Russian Federation in 2006.
Since 2007, Karpov has been a member of the Public Council under the Russian Ministry of Defense.
