Anatoly Karpov - Find The Right Plan.pdf [exclusive] Jun 2026

Karpov is widely considered the greatest endgame player in history. This section teaches how to trade pieces.

Karpov’s philosophy of planning is rooted in a fundamental rejection of improvisation. While amateurs often look for a "move," Karpov teaches that one must look for an "idea." The "right plan" is not a static sequence of moves calculated twenty turns in advance; rather, it is a flexible strategy derived from the immutable laws of the position. In his instructional methodology, Karpov emphasizes the diagnostic phase of the game. Before a pawn is pushed or a piece is moved, one must conduct a rigorous assessment of the board. This involves identifying the pawn structure, spotting weak squares, evaluating the relative activity of the pieces, and determining the rights and obligations of each side.

White has a space advantage on the kingside, Black’s knight is passive on b8. White to play.

III. Karpov vs. Kasparov: The Clash of Styles