| KRAMNIK IS UNIFIED WORLD CHAMPION |  
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Writing this paragraph after Topalov's sensational win in Round 8 to level the match at 4-4, it has become obvious that a brief report on a chess club web site can never do more than pique the readers' interest in the drama at Elista. I have therefore decided to delete much of the previously published information here and defer to Chessbase whose comprehensive and respected commentary will provide a more adequate coverage of the on- and off-stage dramas. To follow the re-unification saga at ChessBase: CLICK HERE. PLEASE NOTE: All games from this match as well as an archive of Kramnik/Topalov previous encounters appear on this web site under DGT-ChessTheatre. Either go there via our home page or click on THIS LINK. |
The Background: In 1993 World Champion Garry Kasparov and challenger Nigel Short announced that they were not willing for their title match to be controlled by FIDE. Their decision created dual world champions—one sanctioned by FIDE and the other styled the "classical" World Champion. In 2000 Kasparov lost a title match to Vladimir Kramnik who thus became the 14th Classical World Chess Champion.
In 2005 FIDE held their version of the Championship, featuring eight of the strongest players (Kramnik didn't play) in a double round-robin tournament held at San Luis, Argentina. Veselin Topalov won 6 of his first 7 games and was able to coast home to become FIDE's Cinderella Man.
 Vladimir Kramnik Chess World Champion |
Game 1: In a long, tough game (it lasted 6½ hours) Topalov blundered when move 57 ...f5 (to protect the knight) allowed Kramnik to snap up black's e-pawn. CLICK HERE to play through the game.
Game score: Kramnik 1, Topalov 0.
Game 2: This was another game that Topalov allowed to escape. CLICK HERE . He had built a fierce king-side attack and if 31 ...Bxf8 was a blunder so was 32. Qg6+. If instead, 32. Rxg4+ Bg7 white had 33. Qc7 and black is lost.
Game score: Kramnik 2, Topalov 0.
Games 3 and 4: These two draws left Kramnik in the box seat, leading 3-1 and needing only 3½ from the last eight games to win the match. In the modern era only Bobby Fischer has been able to come back from two games down.
To play through Game 3 CLICK HERE and Game 4 CLICK HERE
Game score: Kramnik 3, Topalov 1.
Game 5 The game that never was: Kramnik refused to play and Topalov won on forfeit.
Game score: Kramnik 3, Topalov 2.
Game 6: At last, another chess game. After all the protests, and with Game 5 still in dispute, the two champions finally sat down at the board. This Slav Defence lasted less than three hours and was a fairly effortless draw. PLAY THROUGH IT HERE .
Game score: Kramnik 3½, Topalov 2½.
Game 7: A tough battle, eventually drawn by repetition. CLICK HERE .
Game score: Kramnik 4, Topalov 3.
Game 8: Sensational stuff! Topalov's rook and two knights proved decisive against Kramnik's two rooks. CLICK HERE .
Game score: Kramnik 4, Topalov 4.
Game 9: After trying from Round 1 to seize the initiative, Topalov has done a Bobby Fischer and turned a two-game deficit into a one-game lead. Of course, it isn't over till it's over, and Kramnik is great fighter so don't try to beat the crowd to the car park just yet. The last three games, on-and-off the board, are likely to be intense. SEE IT HERE .
Game score: Kramnik 4, Topalov 5.
Game 10: It's level at five games apiece!
Or, considering the disputed Game 5 is Kramnik leading? In an exciting and entertaining positional game Kramnik finished the exchange and a passed a-pawn in front with an easily won end game. HERE'S THE GAME .
Game score: Kramnik 5, Topalov 5.
Game 11: Another tough battle, and another draw, this time in 66 moves. Kramnik, a pawn up but with opposite-coloured bishops, was unable to capitalise on his advantage. SEE IT HERE .
Game score: Kramnik 5½, Topalov 5½.
Game 12: With three minor pieces exchanged in the first thirteen moves there was already a feeling that this game would be drawn. And so it was—although it was anything but a quiet grandmaster draw. An entertaining finish to the twelve main games that will see the World Championship decided by tie-breakers and, perhaps, a court battle over the disputed fifth game. Play through it HERE.
Game score: Kramnik 6, Topalov 6.
Tie Break: Kramnik 2½-Topalov 1½ After drawing the first game, all other tie break games went to white—two to Kramnik, one to Topalov. Perhaps rapid wins are a less than perfect way to decide a World Championship but remember that Topalov picked up a free point in Game 5. Justice appears to have been done but, regrettably, both Topalov and FIDE come out of the encounter with their reputations somewhat tarnished. To play through the rapid games, select the game of your choice from the list below.
Final game score (including four tie-break rapid games): Kramnik 8½, Topalov 7½.
—Report: David Evans
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I don't know if the better player won today. But looking back over the past few weeks I'd have to say that the better man certainly did. Hail the new and improved world champion! Or, dare I type it, hail the new World Champion! |
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