KARPOV EARNS DRAW, CAPTURES CHESS TITLE.

Byline: The New York Times

Anatoly Karpov became the International Chess Federation's world champion Thursday when he and Gata Kamsky agreed to a draw in Game 18 of their match in Elista, Russia.

Karpov thus reached the 10-1/2 points required to collect the $937,500 winner's prize. Kamsky finished with 7-1/2 points, which earned him $562,500.

The plan now is for the international federation - known by its French acronym, FIDE - to hold a match between Karpov and the rival Professional Chess Association's champion, Garry Kasparov. A spinoff of such an arrangement might be an amalgamation of the two warring organizations. But so far no date, venue or other specifics have been announced.

Throughout the FIDE match, Kamsky may have put too much faith in an age difference. The 22-year-old Russian emigre from New York City appeared to be trying to take advantage of Karpov's 45 years by dragging out every game. The last one went a totally unnecessary 80 moves. Several others ran 60 moves.

But one game that lasted 90 moves was justified: Kamsky just could not win a two-pawns-ahead ending against the man who held the world championship from 1975 to 1985 and who is one of the all-time greatest technicians. Karpov could be tired, and still know precisely what to play.