When a former world champion and chess GOAT shares his secrets, every word speaks volumes. Anatoly Karpov’s books do exactly that. They brim with wisdom, clarity, and bite-sized brilliance.
One cannot be a full-fledged student of chess without experiencing Karpov’s literature.
So where do you start?
Say no more. We will guide you through his top ten works. Each one reveals a layer of Karpov’s chess mastery.
1. Chess Is My Life (1979, with Alexander Roshal)
This is an earlier autobiography, written when Karpov was still world champion.
The tone is different, less reflective, and more direct. Chess Is My Life describes his rise through Soviet junior tournaments, his training methods, and the psychology of preparing for world championship matches.
Many players love this book because it shows Karpov before he became a legend, set in stone. It is raw and ambitious and captures the hunger of a champion in his prime.
2. Karpov on Karpov: Memoirs of a Chess World Champion (1990)
This is Karpov’s most intimate work. Written after he had already secured his place in history, Memoirs of a Chess World Champion combines autobiography with reflection.
He shares stories from his childhood in Zlatoust, his entry into the Soviet chess world, and the emotional toll of competing at the very top.
What makes this book special is its human side. Karpov doesn’t only talk about victories, but also about politics, rivalries, and what it meant to face Garry Kasparov repeatedly on the world stage.
For readers interested in more than moves, this is the one.
3. The Open Game in Action (1988)
In The Open Game In Action, Karpov delves into openings like Ruy Lopez and the Italian Game. His approach is instructional, almost like your chess coach giving you a lesson.
He explains positions as if guiding you in a training session, always pointing out underlying principles.
What’s striking is how he breaks down complex positions into digestible lessons, a hallmark of any great chess book.
4. The Semi-Open Game in Action (1988)
The Semi-Open Game In Action is a natural sequel to his work on open games. It addresses 1.e4 openings where Black responds differently from e5, such as the Sicilian and French.
Karpov balances explanation of theory with his own experiences facing these openings. It’s especially valuable because it shows how a world champion prepares against the very weapons used by his rivals.
Each line in this book makes sense. Every variation contained in it reinforces Karpov’s positional clarity.
5. The Semi-Closed Openings in Action (1990)
This volume moves into queen’s pawn territory. Semi-closed systems demand understanding of pawn structures and long-term strategy, and this is where Karpov shines.
His annotations highlight how to maneuver slowly yet effectively, which is often a decisive factor in tournament play. If you want to master positions with subtle shifts rather than fireworks, this book The Semi-Closed Openings In Action is a gem.
6. The Closed Openings in Action (1990)
In fully closed positions like the Queen’s Gambit Declined, patience is the weapon. Karpov’s lessons here are brilliant. He explains why waiting moves matter, why tiny inaccuracies grow over time, and why the initiative is sometimes built rather than seized.
If one wants to understand Karpov’s legacy as the master of “squeezing water from stone,” this book The Closed Openings In Action is the best guide.
7. Beating the Grünfeld (1992)
The Grünfeld Defense is a super-solid opening that can give any player a headache. Not Karpov.
In this book Beating The Grünfeld, he gives an incisive guide on how to take apart the Grünfeld Defence. Karpov’s explanations feel like a lesson from a calm master.
8. Caro-Kann Defence: Advance Variation and Gambit System (2006)
By the time Caro-Kann Defence: Advance Variation and Gambit System appeared, Karpov had already retired from world championship matches. Yet his understanding of the Caro-Kann remained second to none.
The Advance Variation had been a key weapon in his repertoire, and here, he breaks it down into bite-sized pieces.
9. My Best Games (2007)
This is a personal selection of Karpov’s most instructive games. His notes here reveal his thought process, move by move. Reading this book My Best Games feels like sitting beside him at the board, following his logic step by step.
10. Elista Diaries (2007, with Ron Henley)
This book contains a deep, game-by-game analysis of the 1996 World Chess Championship match between Karpov and Gata Kamsky.
It also covers earlier Karpov-Kamsky encounters and other significant matches. The 1998 Karpov-Anand championship match and the 2007 World Championship matches in Elista, Mexico City, make this book an interesting read.
Why These 10 Books Matter
These works together form a masterclass in positional play, self-awareness, and opening strategy. You’ll travel from Karpov’s raw talent through his inner world to his refined technique.
- Variety: You get openings, game collections, memoirs, and tournament reflections.
- Clarity: Karpov writes simply, directly. He never hides behind jargon.
- Growth: You see both a student and a champion teach.
Final Thoughts
Anatoly Karpov’s books share how a world champion thinks, feels, and plans. Each page feels alive. Each idea feels deliberate.
For players who admire precision and calm dominance, Karpov is a guiding light. This list is your invitation to walk in his world, one book, one insight at a time.