The story behind the game
Karpov’s attack in the second game of the 1974 Candidates final depends on the relationship between the h-file and the centre. His rooks make room for the knights, and the e-pawn advance changes what Black can defend. Work through the forcing moves without assuming that the first open file is enough by itself.
Take these ideas to your next game
- Open a file near the enemy king with a purpose.
- A rook lift can prepare a second route.
- An exchange offer can improve a knight.
- A central pawn break can remove a key defender.
Read the complete annotated game
Full game transcript, including the result and the answers. Original explanations by chessgames.info; game score from the sources below.
h5 challenges the king’s pawn cover. Black captures the pawn with the knight in the recorded line, and White gains a tempo with g4. The aim is to connect the opened h-file with active knights and queen. Calculate Black’s counterplay on the c-file alongside the kingside attack.
Rd3 brings another piece toward the attack. Black moves the advanced rook to c5, after which White challenges the knight with g5. The rook lift changes White’s options, but it also leaves tactical possibilities on the d-file. Compare those possibilities rather than assuming the rook will simply move to h3.
Rd5 attacks the queen and invites a rook exchange. Black takes the rook from g5 in the recorded sequence, and White recaptures with the knight from c3. The new knight on d5 controls important central squares. Assess that activity and the attack on h7 as part of the exchange offer.
e5 changes the defence of the squares around Black’s king. Black captures the knight on d5 with the bishop, and White’s pawn takes the knight on f6. After the pawn recapture on f6, White checks on h7 and h8. Keep the exchange sequence and the queen’s checking route together when assessing the break.
Result: 1-0. The recorded score ends here; it does not imply checkmate.
Think through the turning points
Move 14: Open the h-file
Which h-pawn move attacks the pawn on g6? In the game: h5. h5 challenges the king’s pawn cover. Black captures the pawn with the knight in the recorded line, and White gains a tempo with g4. The aim is to connect the opened h-file with active knights and queen. Calculate Black’s counterplay on the c-file alongside the kingside attack.
Engine-supported alternatives
g4 b5 Kb1 h5 Nd5 e5 Nb3 Nxd5 Qxd5 Be6 Qd3 hxg4 · +1.15 · depth 17
h5 Nxh5 g4 Nf6 Nb3 Qc8 Bh6 Rxc3 bxc3 Bxh6 Rxh6 Qc4 · +1.01 · depth 16
Kb1 h5 g4 hxg4 h5 Nxh5 Rdg1 e5 Nf5 Bxf5 exf5 gxf3 · +0.61 · depth 16
Move 19: Lift the rook before choosing its file
Which rook move from d1 reaches the third rank? In the game: Rd3. Rd3 brings another piece toward the attack. Black moves the advanced rook to c5, after which White challenges the knight with g5. The rook lift changes White’s options, but it also leaves tactical possibilities on the d-file. Compare those possibilities rather than assuming the rook will simply move to h3.
Engine-supported alternatives
Rd5 Qd8 g5 Nh5 Nf4 Qf8 Nxh5 gxh5 Qxh5 Qg7 Rd2 Rxc3 · +1.19 · depth 18
Rd3 Be6 · +0.91 · depth 18
a3 Be6 Rd3 R4c5 Kb1 Bc4 Rd2 Be6 Nd1 b5 c3 Qd8 · +0.88 · depth 17
Move 21: Offer the exchange for a knight square
Which rook move attacks the queen on a5 along the fifth rank? In the game: Rd5. Rd5 attacks the queen and invites a rook exchange. Black takes the rook from g5 in the recorded sequence, and White recaptures with the knight from c3. The new knight on d5 controls important central squares. Assess that activity and the attack on h7 as part of the exchange offer.
Engine-supported alternatives
Rd5 Rxd5 Nxd5 Qc5 Nxe7+ Kh8 Nxc8 Qxc8 Qf4 Kg7 Qxd6 Qc4 · +3.33 · depth 21
b4 Qa3+ Kd1 Re5 f4 Re6 f5 Re5 Rf3 Bb5 fxg6 Bxe2+ · +0.77 · depth 21
Nf4 Rxc3 Rxc3 Qe5 Nd5 Nxd5 Qxh7+ Kf8 Qh6+ Kg8 · +0.00 · depth 21
Move 24: Remove the central defender
Which e-pawn move attacks the knight on f6? In the game: e5. e5 changes the defence of the squares around Black’s king. Black captures the knight on d5 with the bishop, and White’s pawn takes the knight on f6. After the pawn recapture on f6, White checks on h7 and h8. Keep the exchange sequence and the queen’s checking route together when assessing the break.
Engine-supported alternatives
e5 Bxd5 exf6 exf6 Qxh7+ Kf8 Qh8+ Ke7 Nxd5+ Qxd5 Re1+ Qe5 · +4.40 · depth 20
Nxf6+ exf6 Nh5 Qg5+ Qxg5 fxg5 Nf6+ Kg7 Nxe8+ Bxe8 Kd2 h5 · +0.14 · depth 20
a3 Bxd5 Nxd5 Qc5 Nxf6+ exf6 Qxh7+ Kf8 Kb1 Ke7 Qh2 Rc8 · -0.64 · depth 20
Every piece has a part to play.
Karpov’s attack in the second game of the 1974 Candidates final depends on the relationship between the h-file and the centre. His rooks make room for the knights, and the e-pawn advance changes what Black can defend. Work through the forcing moves without assuming that the first open file is enough by itself.
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Accessible evaluation values & provenance
Stockfish 17.1 · 75,000 nodes per position; 1,000,000 at key moments. Actual depth 12–21. Positive centipawns favour White; mate scores remain separate. Selective search is evidence, not proof.
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