anatoli karpov's backgammon move
Maybe some will remember me from three years ago. Up until that time i was very active on this forum but had to put an end to it because of severe family circumstances. After this episode i have taken up chess (probably in imitation of Robertie), and am doing quite well in it at the moment. Though two times a week i play a backgammon match against GNU.
Just now I am watching a youtube video about an interview with Karpov. At a certain moment he mentions he was playing backgammon with another befriended chess grandmaster. I am kind of flabbergasted, because his great rival Kasparov looks down upon the game, like also the accomplished chess players at the club i am attending. Curious I googled Karpov and backgammon, and to my surprise there is an article from 1979 from the hand of Paul Magriel about a board position from a game between the two (at least, we presume).
I am not able to present the board position, because without a mouse (right click for the other color) it just does not work. But here is the link, and it would be nice if someone could post it.
3 Replies
A while ago I stumbled upon a picture of Magriel, playing Karpov in a chess exhibition match. Upon further research it was probably taken on May 17, 1979 when Karpov played 20 challengers at the Game Room in New York. There is a NYTimes article "Two Get Draws As Karpov Plays 20 in New ..." with further details about the event. Paul apparently lost ... :p
I was wondering if anyone knows more about this (first?) encounter of these two giants and if maybe even a record of the game survives?
I'll add a clipping of the ebay photo with the position.
From what I see the position looks like this:
It's Karpov to move and he might be thinking about 1. Nxd5 Nxd5 2. Bxe7 Nxe7 3. Qxb7 ... after which he is a pawn up but with further complications ahead ...
Btw, is that a backgammon board on the table?! 😃
I am very surprised to see my topic appear after an absence of 7 years. I migrated to chess, and once in a while I play backgammon with the bot. During my twoplustwo days (10 to 15 years ago) there was a new topic several times a week. Well, makes the moderation load lighter for Bill Robertie, for whom time also has not been standing still.
Nxd5 looks good indeed.
Paul and Anatoly were both in Puerto Rico in August 1979, Paul for a backgammon tournament, Anatoly for a chess tournament. Anatoly came to visit the backgammon tournament on an off day, met Paul, talked for a while about the similarities and differences between the games, and then played a few games on the side. It was fun to listen to the two of them chat through the session.
The bots have taught us a lot since the 70s. I also noted that Magriel’s column said the “obvious” play was bar/21* 15/10, rather than what I considered as obvious (and by the posted rollout correct) bar/21* 10/5. Bots have taught us that this outfield point is a liability, not an asset. It’s just one more point that will eventually have to be broken, giving more chances to leave a blot.
