The fifth World Championship meeting between Kasparov and Karpov began October 8, 1990, in New York, concluding in Lyons, France, three months later. Although the pressure of the occasion led to some uncharacteristic blunders on the part of both men, the match produced some of the strongest chess ever seen from Kasparov and Karpov. A number of games from this World Championship showdown stand as timeless examples of world-class chess play.

With an incredible 530 press credentials and 700 spectator seats available for the New York leg of the event, the match was in every way a momentous international affair. Kasparov came into the World Championship in good form, having recently won qualifying matches against Timman, Hjartarson, and Yusupov. In contrast to his championship match against Karpov in Seville three years earlier, the world champion came prepared to present his opponent with unorthodox strategies. "For 1990," said Kasparov, "I planned various irregular set-ups and cultivating some inferior positions."

The highlight of the match was unquestionably the 20th game, a masterpiece that ranks with the most celebrated games of all time. In it, Kasparov made a number of sacrifices -- first a pawn, then a knight, then a bishop -- in an effort to erode Karpov's defenses. Finally, on the 34th move, Kasparov stunned those present in the auditorium by performing a queen sacrifice -- a highly unusual move at this level of competition. But the tactic eventually led to Karpov's demise in game 20, and paved the way for Kasparov to collect another World Championship.