This text investigates the technical and political dimensions of the 1985 World Chess Championship match between Anatoly Karpov and Garry Kasparov. Authors David S. G. Goodman and Raymond Keene utilize their expertise in chess journalism and analysis to document the twenty-four games of the series. The book provides a framework for understanding how the intense rivalry between the two grandmasters reflected broader Soviet political tensions during the mid-1980s.

Chess enthusiasts and historians frequently cite this work as a primary source for understanding the tactical shifts that occurred during the 1985 match. Experts note that the book successfully balances high-level game analysis with the external pressures that defined this specific era of professional chess.