user9179: It had to have happened in the 90s, but I can't remember either the tournament or Karpov's opponent (probably some Spanish tournament, like Linares or Dos Hermanas). Karpov was upset with the organization for some reason, and he complained by playing 1. e4 and offered a draw  that was accepted by his rival. As Karpov would say: "What would he do? Play for a win?"
I've tried some simple Googling via "shortest karpov game" and similar stuff, but I've gotte nothing at all. I have no idea how to use databases for a search like this, but I suspect that-for obvious reasons-this game probably isn't in any of them.

user23596: Not sure if this is it but this is the shortest Karpov game I found in the database.
Anatoly Karpov vs Peter Leko, Groningen 1995 where Karpov played 1.d4 and that's it.
The first comment there says

karpov and leko did this quick draw to protest the abnormally early start of the round (9am if my memory is correct)


9179: <p>It had to have happened in the 90s, but I can't remember either the tournament or Karpov's opponent (probably some Spanish tournament, like Linares or Dos Hermanas). Karpov was upset with the organization for some reason, and he complained by playing 1. e4 and offered a draw  that was accepted by his rival. As Karpov would say: &quot;What would he do? Play for a win?&quot;</p>
<p>I've tried some simple Googling via &quot;shortest karpov game&quot; and similar stuff, but I've gotte nothing at all. I have no idea how to use databases for a search like this, but I suspect that-for obvious reasons-this game probably isn't in any of them.</p>
 23596: <p>Not sure if this is it but this is the shortest Karpov game I found in the database.<br />
<a href="https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1069246&amp;kpage=1#kibitzing" rel="noreferrer">Anatoly Karpov vs Peter Leko, Groningen 1995</a> where Karpov played 1.d4 and that's it.</p>
<p>The first comment there says</p>
<blockquote>
<p>karpov and leko did this quick draw to protest the abnormally early start of the round (9am if my memory is correct)</p>
</blockquote>
