This book investigates the 1974 Candidates Final match between Anatoly Karpov and Viktor Korchnoi to determine the tactical and psychological factors that propelled Karpov toward his eventual world championship title. The authors, both accomplished chess masters and journalists, provide a comprehensive analysis of the match's progression. They utilize detailed game annotations and contextual commentary to explain the strategic shifts occurring within the Soviet chess hierarchy during this period. The text serves as both a historical record of the match and a technical study of the players' respective styles.

Chess historians and enthusiasts frequently cite this work as a definitive technical account of one of the most significant matches in the history of the sport. Experts highlight the authors' ability to balance high-level tactical analysis with the intense psychological drama that defined the Karpov-Korchnoi rivalry.