1974 in chess

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1974 in chess – a quick look

The year’s biggest event was the World Championship match between Anatoly Karpov and Viktor Korchnoi, held in Moscow. The match began in 1974 and continued into 1975, with Karpov eventually winning to become World Champion.

Alongside the World Championship, many important tournaments were played around the world, keeping top players busy and showcasing new talent. Chess stayed popular and competitive, with more international events and a growing calendar.

FIDE top 10 by Elo rating – January 1974
The January 1974 FIDE rating list ranked the strongest players in the world. Anatoly Karpov led the list, followed by other top players such as Boris Spassky and Viktor Korchnoi, with several more accomplished players making up the rest of the top ten. This list shows how the game’s leading figures looked at the start of the year.