Anatoly Karpov, the World Chess Champion, is challenged by Viktor Korchnoi, a former Soviet citizen who defected to Holland, in the 1978 World Championship in Baguio City, Philippines. The two bitter rivals engage in a intense battle not only on the chessboard but also in a war of espionage, involving parapsychologists, KGB agents, and Eastern mystics. Despite Karpov's initial lead, Korchnoi makes a stunning comeback, winning three games in a row to level the score.
Closing Gambit: 1978 Korchnoi versus Karpov and the Kremlin
The 1978 World Chess Championship match between Anatoly Karpov and Viktor Korchnoi unfolded as a gripping story, pitting a heavily favored Soviet-backed player against a former ally turned fierce competitor.
