When Kasparov Demolished Kramnik with a Queen Sacrifice • Kramnik vs Kasparov • Intel World Chess Express Challenge • Munich, Germany (1994) • King’s Indian Defense: Petrosian Variation, Stein Defense (E92)
Francisco Yepes Barrera
2 min read
Callum Mullin - https://unsplash.com/photos/white-pawn-advances-on-a-chessboard-eYtRJHkxNBs
In 1994, Kasparov was the world champion and at the height of his dominance. He had broken from FIDE in 1993 to play the PCA World Championship and remained the strongest player in the world by rating and tournament results. His style combined deep opening preparation, dynamic calculation, and relentless initiative. The King’s Indian Defense was one of his principal weapons against 1.d4, especially in must-win situations.
Kramnik, still in his teens, was already one of the most promising young grandmasters in the world. A former protégé of Kasparov, he had entered the elite and was known for his profound positional understanding. This period marked the beginning of his ascent toward the very top of world chess (he would become World Champion in 2000).
The Intel World Chess Express Challenge was a rapid event held in Munich in May 1994. Intel sponsored several high-profile chess competitions in the 1990s, often featuring leading grandmasters and faster time controls designed to promote dynamic, spectator-friendly games.
By 1994, encounters between Kasparov and Kramnik already carried special interest: the established world champion versus the rising star from the same chess school. Their games were closely watched as a generational and stylistic clash. Given Kasparov’s reliance on sharp openings and Kramnik’s growing theoretical depth, preparation on the eve of such a game would have been crucial—especially in complex systems like the King’s Indian Defense, where concrete move orders and tactical nuances matter greatly.
This game is a striking example of dynamic compensation in the King’s Indian Defense. After 12…Nfxe4, Kasparov sacrificed material for activity. When Kramnik failed to consolidate with 15.Rc1?, Black’s initiative became overwhelming.
Despite being a Queen down earlier, Black’s coordination and attacking chances fully justified the material imbalance. The game is often cited as a model of active piece play and attacking energy overcoming nominal material deficit.
It also foreshadows the deep and complex rivalry that would later culminate in Kramnik defeating Kasparov in the 2000 World Championship.
