Closing Gambit: 1978 Korchnoi versus Karpov and the Kremlin (2018)

In the tumultuous summer of 1978, the world's eyes were riveted on an unlikely battlefield - a chessboard in Baguio City, The Philippines. This was the stage for one of the most extraordinary face-offs in sporting history, where the two contenders were not merely players but embodiments of two starkly contrasting ideologies. Anatoly Karpov, the reigning World Chess Champion, was the golden boy of the Soviet Communist Party, enjoying the luxuries of a chauffeur-driven Mercedes, a Moscow apartment, and a country dacha. A personal acquaintance of Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev, Karpov had claimed the crown from Bobby Fischer without even playing a match, symbolizing the power and prowess of the young Soviet 'New Man.' On the other side of the board sat Viktor Korchnoi, a survivor of the Leningrad siege. Known for his fiery spirit and disdain for the Soviet regime, Korchnoi had claimed political asylum in Holland two years prior, earning him the status of a traitor in his homeland. Airbrushed from Soviet history, he was simply known as 'The Contestant,' challenging Karpov for the world title with a vengeance. As the intense battle unfolded on the chessboard, an equally riveting war was waged behind the scenes. Intrigue and espionage worthy of a John Le Carre novel permeated the air, involving parapsychologists, thought waves, flag wars, coded yoghurts, mirrored sunglasses, and even a sect of Eastern mystics wanted for murder. KGB agents skulked in the shadows, and whispers of corruption added to the escalating tension. Karpov, the much younger player, initially dominated the match, leading with 5 victories to Korchnoi's 2. However, the unthinkable happened when the defiant 'Contestant' made a startling comeback, winning three games in quick succession to level the score. Suddenly, the unshakeable 'Soviet Ice Man' began to show signs of melting under the pressure. Closing Gambit: 1978 Korchnoi versus Karpov and the Kremlin is a mesmerizing tale that blurs the line between truth and fiction, bringing to light an unforgettable chapter of chess history that remained untold until now. This is not merely a game. It’s a thrilling saga of rivalry, politics, and personal survival.

Closing Gambit: 1978 Korchnoi versus Karpov and the Kremlin is a documentary movie featuring Anatoli Karpov and directed by Alan Byron.

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