Let’s reconstruct a typical Karpov plan without needing a PDF. Consider this position (hypothetical, but typical of his style):
White: Pawns on c4, d4, e3, f2, g2, h2. Pieces: Nb3, Bd3, Rc1, Qd2, Ke1, Rf1.
Black: Pawns on e6, d5, c6, f7, g7, h7. Pieces: Nf6, Be7, Ra8, Qe7, Ke8, Rf8.
This is prophylactic thinking. If you find a plan that also stops your opponent’s idea, it’s often the right one. anatoly karpov find the right planpdf
Before seeking a plan, Karpov asked a single question: “What does my opponent want?” This is the essence of prophylaxis — a term Karpov elevated to an art form.
Let’s look at real Karpov plans that demonstrate his method. Let’s reconstruct a typical Karpov plan without needing
In the pantheon of chess history, few names command as much respect for positional mastery as Anatoly Karpov. While Garry Kasparov is often remembered for his volcanic attacks and tactical brilliance, Karpov is revered as the ultimate strategist—a player who could squeeze blood from a stone and dismantle opponents with the quiet inevitability of a rising tide.
For club players and masters alike, the question has always been: How does he do it? The answer lies in his instructional masterpiece, Find the Right Plan. Though originally released in Russian and later adapted for international audiences, the book remains a holy grail for those seeking to move beyond tactical brawling and into the realm of positional logic. Black : Pawns on e6, d5, c6, f7, g7, h7
Here is a breakdown of the core philosophies that make Find the Right Plan an essential addition to any chess library.
One of the most difficult concepts for improving players to grasp is prophylaxis—the art of anticipating and preventing the opponent’s ideas before they become threats. Karpov, alongside his mentor Mikhail Botvinnik and predecessor Tigran Petrosian, elevated this to a science.
In Find the Right Plan, Karpov demonstrates how to ask the crucial question: "What does my opponent want to do?"
By constantly asking this, you not only neutralize counterplay but often improve your own position in the process. The book showcases games where Karpov places his pieces not where they attack immediately, but where they prevent the opponent from achieving active play. The result? The opponent is slowly suffocated, forced into passive defense, and eventually ground down.