The Test of Time is a 1986 autobiographical chess book by Soviet Grandmaster Garry Kasparov, written in collaboration with his former trainer Alexander Nikitin. It chronicles Kasparov's early career from his childhood introduction to chess through his meteoric rise to become the world's number-one contender, culminating in his first world championship match with Anatoly Karpov in 1984–85. The book combines narrative chapters with deeply annotated key games, offering both personal insight and technical analysis of the strategic and tactical ideas that defined Kasparov's playing style during his formative years.
1 Early Life and Introduction to Chess
1.1 Family Background and the Baku Chess Circle
Garry Kasparov was born on April 13, 1963, in Baku, Azerbaijan SSR, into a family of mixed Armenian and Jewish heritage. His father, Kim Moiseyevich Weinstein, was an engineer, and his mother, Klara Shagenovna Kasparova, was an Armenian–Jewish homemaker who later played a pivotal role in his career. Kasparov’s introduction to chess came at age five when his parents noticed him solving chess problems from a newspaper. The Baku Chess Circle, a local club with a strong tradition, provided his first competitive environment. There, young Garry quickly absorbed the fundamentals and demonstrated exceptional talent, winning his first tournament at age seven.
1.2 First Coach: Oleg Privorotsky
At age seven, Kasparov began training under Oleg Privorotsky, a master-level player and experienced coach. Privorotsky recognized the child’s intuitive grasp of tactics and positional play. Under his guidance, Kasparov studied classic games of Mikhail Tal, Bobby Fischer, and Alexander Alekhine. Privorotsky emphasized calculation drills and endgame technique, laying a solid foundation for Kasparov’s future development. The coach also instilled discipline in tournament preparation, a habit that would serve Kasparov well in later years.
1.3 Entry into the Soviet Chess School
1.3.1 The Young Pioneers and Local Tournaments
Kasparov joined the Baku Young Pioneers Palace, a state-run youth organization that provided systematic chess instruction. He participated in local tournaments, sweeping age-group competitions across the Azerbaijan SSR. By age nine, he had earned the first category rating and was playing in adult events. His rapid progress drew the attention of the All-Union Chess Federation, which began monitoring his career.
1.3.2 Encounter with Mikhail Botvinnik’s Chess School
At age ten, Kasparov was recommended to the legendary world champion Mikhail Botvinnik’s chess school in Moscow. Botvinnik, who ran a rigorous training program for promising juniors, was impressed by Kasparov’s aggressive style and willingness to challenge orthodox ideas. The school’s emphasis on deep analysis of opening systems and endgame theory profoundly shaped Kasparov’s approach. He later credited Botvinnik with teaching him “how to think like a champion” and how to prepare for critical matches.
2 Transition to Master Level
2.1 The 1978 Sokolsky Memorial
In 1978, at age fifteen, Kasparov played in the Sokolsky Memorial in Minsk, a tournament for masters and candidates. Scoring 5½ out of 9, he achieved his first master norm, becoming the youngest Soviet master at the time. The event featured strong opponents, and Kasparov’s performance—winning against several experienced players—signaled his readiness for higher-level competition. The book highlights this tournament as a key milestone where Kasparov’s tactical sharpness and relentless attacking style first became evident.
2.2 First International Successes
2.2.1 European Junior Championship 1979–80
Kasparov won the European Junior Championship (under-20) in 1979–80, held in Groningen, Netherlands. He scored 8½ out of 10, dominating the field. The victory earned him the title of International Master and provided his first significant exposure to West European players and styles. In the book, Kasparov notes that this tournament taught him the importance of adapting to different playing cultures, especially the more dynamic, less dogmatic approach of Western juniors.
2.2.2 World Junior Championship 1980
Later in 1980, Kasparov traveled to Dortmund, West Germany, for the World Junior Championship. He won the tournament outright with 10½ out of 13, ahead of future grandmasters such as Nigel Short and Jaan Ehlvest. This victory secured his International Grandmaster title at age seventeen. Kasparov described the tournament as a turning point: “I realized I could compete with the best in the world, not just in the Soviet Union.” The annotated game against Short from this event is reproduced in the book.
2.3 Appointment of Alexander Nikitin as Trainer
After the World Junior Championship, Kasparov’s mother and Botvinnik arranged for Alexander Nikitin, a respected Soviet coach and trainer, to become Kasparov’s permanent trainer. Nikitin had previously worked with several top players and was known for his expertise in opening preparation and psychological coaching. The partnership lasted throughout Kasparov’s rise, and Nikitin contributed significantly to the book’s analytical sections. Kasparov valued Nikitin’s ability to simulate tournament conditions during training camps and to devise innovative opening repertoires.
3 The Grandmaster Emerges
3.1 The 1981 Moscow Championship
In early 1981, Kasparov entered the Moscow Championship, a high-level event featuring many of the Soviet capital’s strongest players. He tied for first place with 8½ out of 13, outperforming several established grandmasters. The tournament showcased his growing maturity: rather than relying solely on attacks, he demonstrated solid positional play and precise endgame technique. The book features a key win against veteran grandmaster Eduard Gufeld, where Kasparov sacrificed a pawn for long-term pressure, a harbinger of his later universal style.
3.2 Breakthrough at the 1982 Bugojno Tournament
3.2.1 Defeating Anatoly Karpov for the First Time
The Bugojno tournament in Yugoslavia (1982) was Kasparov’s first encounter with reigning world champion Anatoly Karpov over the board. In their individual game, Kasparov employed a sharp Sicilian Defense and outplayed Karpov in a complex middle game, winning in 36 moves. This victory, his first against Karpov, sent shockwaves through the chess world. Kasparov later called it “the moment I knew I could become world champion.” The game is extensively annotated in the book, showing Kasparov’s aggressive opening novelties and calculating accuracy.
3.2.2 Style Evolution: From Tactician to Universal Player
During and after Bugojno, Kasparov consciously worked to expand his style. While he remained a formidable attacker, he added positional grind and endgame proficiency to his arsenal. The book notes that he studied Karpov’s games extensively, learning how to convert small advantages without direct attack. This evolution was critical for his title ambitions, as a one-dimensional player would struggle against elite opponents.
3.3 1983 Candidates Cycle: First Steps
3.3.1 Quarterfinal Match Against Alexander Beliavsky
In the 1983 Candidates cycle, Kasparov faced Alexander Beliavsky, a top Soviet grandmaster, in a quarterfinal match held in Moscow. The match was scheduled for twelve games; Kasparov won 4–2 with six draws. His preparation included a detailed analysis of Beliavsky’s repertoire, particularly his preference for the King’s Indian Defense. Kasparov’s decisive win in game 8, using a novelty in the Nimzo-Indian, is highlighted in the book.
3.3.2 Semifinal Against Viktor Korchnoi
The semifinal pitted Kasparov against Viktor Korchnoi, a former world championship challenger. The match, played in London, was fraught with psychological tension—Korchnoi was known for his fierce independence and provocative style. Kasparov won 4–1 with three draws. The book details how Kasparov neutralized Korchnoi’s tactical sharpness by steering the games into slow, positional channels. A key endgame win with two bishops against knight is presented as a prime example of Kasparov’s growing universality.
4 The Road to the World Championship
4.1 1984 Candidates Final Against Vasily Smyslov
4.1.1 Match Preparation and Opening Innovations
The final of the Candidates cycle pitted Kasparov against former world champion Vasily Smyslov, a player renowned for his deep strategic understanding and endgame virtuosity. Kasparov and his team, led by Nikitin, prepared a novel opening system: in the Sicilian, they introduced the “Kasparov Variation” against Smyslov’s favored Najdorf, involving an early ...h6 pawn move. This preparation aimed to sidestep Smyslov’s deep theoretical knowledge. The match was held in Vilnius, Lithuania, in early 1984.
4.1.2 Key Game: Smyslov – Kasparov, Game 9
The book devotes special attention to Game 9 of the match. Smyslov, playing White, had the better position for much of the game, but Kasparov defended tenaciously, eventually winning a difficult rook ending. The marathon 78-move contest demonstrated Kasparov’s defensive resilience and endgame skill. Kasparov won the match 4–1 (with nine draws), thereby earning the right to challenge Anatoly Karpov for the world title.
4.2 The Aborted 1984–85 Karpov–Kasparov Match
4.2.1 Early Losses and Resurgence
The 1984–85 world championship match began in September 1984 in Moscow, under a format of first to six wins (draws not counting). Karpov took an early lead, winning four games in the first nine. Kasparov suffered several positional defeats, but he refused to collapse. The book describes how Kasparov adjusted his strategy, switching to more solid openings and improving his physical conditioning. By late October, he had halted Karpov’s run, then began scoring wins of his own. The match stretched into February 1985, with Kasparov winning three games in a row, cutting Karpov’s lead to 5–3.
4.2.2 The Controversial Suspension
On February 15, 1985, with the score at 5–3 in Karpov’s favor, the president of FIDE, Florencio Campomanes, unilaterally suspended the match, citing concerns about the players’ health. The decision was met with outrage; Kasparov protested, believing he had momentum. The book presents his view that the suspension was politically motivated to protect Karpov’s title. After negotiations, a new match was ordered to start in September 1985, with the same format but a 24-game limit. Kasparov saw this as a setback but used the break to prepare even more thoroughly.
4.3 1985 Rematch and Becoming World Champion
4.3.1 Psychological Resilience Under Pressure
The 1985 rematch began in Moscow in September 1985. Kasparov entered with renewed confidence but faced immense pressure: losing would mean a second failure against Karpov. The book details his mental preparation, including visualization techniques and a strict training regimen. He also adopted a new opening repertoire based on the Sicilian Dragon and the Queen’s Gambit, designed to create unbalanced positions.
4.3.2 Decisive Games from the Second Half
The match was tied 6–6 after 12 games. In the second half, Kasparov scored three wins, including a famous victory in game 16 where he sacrificed a knight for a devastating attack. The final game 24 ended in a draw, giving Kasparov a 13–11 victory (7 wins, 3 losses, 14 draws). At age 22, he became the youngest world champion in history, a record that stood until 2023. The book reprints six key games from this match with extensive annotations, showing the tactical and strategic depth of his play.
5 Selected Annotated Games (1980–1985)
5.1 Attacking Masterpieces
This section showcases games where Kasparov unleashed devastating kingside attacks. Notable examples include his win against Anatoly Karpov from Bugojno 1982 and a brilliant rook sacrifice against Ulf Andersson from the 1983 Candidates. The annotations emphasize calculation of forced variations and the creation of weaknesses.
5.2 Endgame Studies
Kasparov includes several endgame positions that tested his technique. One standout is a bishop versus knight ending from the 1984 Candidates final against Smyslov, where Kasparov converted an extra pawn through precise maneuvering. Another is a rook ending from the 1985 match, where he outplayed Karpov in a seemingly drawn position.
5.3 Defensive Brilliancies
The book also highlights games where Kasparov defended inferior positions. The most famous is his draw against Karpov in game 18 of the 1985 match, where he defended a passive bishop endgame for 80 moves. Kasparov’s notes explain the psychological aspect of holding a worse position without losing hope.
6 Reflections on the Competitive System
6.1 The Role of Seconds and Training Camps
Kasparov dedicates a chapter to the behind-the-scenes work that supported his rise. He describes how his team of seconds—including Nikitin, grandmaster Mikhail Gurevich, and later trainers—analyzed opening lines, prepared psychological strategies, and conducted training camps. The camps often took place in remote Soviet locations, where Kasparov and his team could work without distractions. He credits this collective effort as essential for reaching the world title.
6.2 Soviet Chess Politics and Bureaucracy
The book does not shy away from discussing the challenges of operating within the Soviet system. Kasparov recounts difficulties in securing travel permissions, obtaining access to Western chess publications, and dealing with the All-Union Chess Federation’s preference for established champions. He notes that his Armenian–Jewish background occasionally led to subtle discrimination, but he also acknowledges the strong institutional support for chess in the USSR. The political machinations surrounding the 1984–85 match are discussed in measured terms.
6.3 Legacy of the Early Career
In the final reflections, Kasparov assesses how his early development shaped his later style. He notes that the aggressive, uncompromising approach he cultivated as a junior remained a hallmark of his play even as he matured. The book concludes with a call to aspiring players to embrace both tactical sharpness and positional understanding, and to view each game as a learning opportunity. *The Test of Time* is regarded as one of the finest chess autobiographies, offering a rare blend of personal narrative and master-level analysis.