In March 2017, I looked to see who made the most official brilliancy prizes. This led to three articles. Mikhail Tal was number one with 15 brilliancy prizes:

Anatoly Karpov and Rashid Nezhmetdinov both had 10, putting them in a tie for second-third:

I had intended to write an article about Kasparov, who came in second with 12, but for some reason (old age?) I completely forgot to do it. Now it’s time (before I forget again!) to show all 12 brilliancy prize games by Kasparov.

Garry Kasparov. | Photo: Maria Emelianova/Chess.com.

GAME ONE

Kasparov was a fan of the Grunfeld Defense, but here he dismantles it with the White pieces.

PUZZLE 1

Can you play like Kasparov?

GAME TWO

Ulf Andersson is known as a fantastic positional player, but here he looks like a bunny rabbit facing a starving wolf.

PUZZLE TWO

White’s pieces are beautifully posted, but Black seems to have everything protected and safe. Is that true?

GAME THREE

PUZZLE THREE

Even material, Black’s pieces are developed, no instant threat. So, is Black holding his own?

GAME FOUR

Karpov played 1.e4 quite often, but after running into some unfortunate bashes by Kasparov, Karpov eventually turned to 1.d4.

PUZZLE FOUR

Black can get his pawn back by 11…Nbxd5 12.Nxd5 Nxd5 13.0-0 when White has a small plus and a very safe position. Clearly, that line wouldn’t be to Kasparov’s taste. What did Kasparov do?

GAME FIVE

Another super-complicated Grunfeld battle. The usual fireworks ensued with both players tossing surprise bombs back and forth. At some point Karpov was able to grab the initiative, however one small error turned a plus to equality and the game was drawn.

PUZZLE FIVE

GAME SIX

The opening was a quiet affair, with White having a tiny plus at best. However, Short’s 15...Bg5 wasn’t quite right, and 17...Rc8 was just too much.

SIX PUZZLE

Nigel gets a spanking.

GAME SEVEN

From fine positional play to a killer attack, this game shows that Kasparov can do it all.

PUZZLE SEVEN

White has positionally outplayed Timman, and now Garry will turn on the dynamics!

GAME EIGHT

In his prime, Valery Salov was a powerful force in the chess landscape. Unfortunately for Valery, this game makes him look like a lamb going to the slaughterhouse.

PUZZLE EIGHT

GAME NINE

A game filled with chaos. Both players went for it, and after the bombs were all used up, the game was a well-played draw. I won’t give any notes. Instead, just go through the game and wonder what in the world is going on!

GAME 10

PUZZLE 10

GAME 11

On move 12, White seemed to have a nice opening, but suddenly Kasparov started to think and think. But about what? The spectators wanted to scream 12.Bxe3! but no, everyone has to be silent. So as Kasparov thought and thought, the people watching, mouth's agape, were befuddled.

GAME 12

This is one of the most humiliating defeats in Karpov’s career.

PUZZLE 12