The 1990 FIDE World Chess Championship between Garry Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov was the fifth and final World Championship match between these two legendary grandmasters. It took place from October 8 to December 30, 1990, with games held in New York City (first half) and Lyon, France (second half).
The match was close and tense throughout, with both players demonstrating deep preparation and immense psychological resilience.
This match marked the end of the Kasparov–Karpov World Championship era. Their five World Championship matches (1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, and 1990) are considered among the most legendary in chess history.
It also symbolized a political shift, as the Soviet Union was on the verge of collapse. Kasparov, with increasingly independent views, was moving away from the control of Soviet chess authorities.
After this match, Kasparov broke away from FIDE in 1993, leading to a split in the World Chess Championship lineage.
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