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Kramnik Wins Dortmund In Dramatic Fashion

After drawing his first five games, World Champion Vladimir Kramnik won in each of the final two rounds to secure first place at the Dortmund Sparkassen Chess Meeting. Kramink and Peter Svidler both finished with 4.5 points in 7 rounds, with Kramnik finishing first on tiebreaks.

While the early rounds featured a high number of draws, the second half of the tournament brought out the fighting spirit in many of the competitors. In the final three rounds, seven of the 12 games finished decisively. Much of this activity came at the expense of two players: Levon Aronian and Baadur Jobava, each of whom lost their final three games.

After five rounds, Kramnik looked unlikely to contend for the Dortmund Championship. Peter Leko, fresh off a win over Aronian, held first place with a 3.5/5 score, a full point ahead of Kramnik, and a half point ahead of Svidler.

In the 6th round, Kramnik had the black pieces again Jobava. After Kramnik gained an early advantage by springing a trap on the 14th move, Jobava surprised everyone by resigning after just 15 moves. While Kramnik clearly had the edge, the resignation caught move observers by surprise, as there was still plenty to play for in the position.

Nonetheless, Kramnik pulled to within a half-point of Leko, who fought to a draw with Boris Gelfand. Meanwhile, Svidler had joined him in first, having defeated Aronian.

This set up a dramatic final round, featuring a crucial game between Kramnik and Leko, while Svidler took on Michael Adams. Svidler drew his game, meaning that Leko could clinch first place for himself with a win, or a share of first with a draw.

However, Kramnik quickly gained an advantage against his former Championship challenger. Eventually up a piece in the endgame, Kramnik converted the win easily and with it the title on tiebreaks over Svidler.

Here is Kramnik's crucial win in the final round over Leko:

White: Kramnik, V (2743)
Black: Leko, P (2738)
Dortmund 2006, Round 7
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. Qc2 O-O 5. a3 Bxc3+ 6. Qxc3 b6 7. Bg5 Bb7 8. f3 h6 9. Bh4 d5 10. e3 Nbd7 11. cxd5 Nxd5 12. Bxd8 Nxc3 13. Bh4 Nd5 14. Bf2 c5 15. e4 Ne7 16. Ne2 Rac8 17. Nc3 cxd4 18. Bxd4 Nc5 19. Rd1 Rfd8 20. Be3 Rxd1+ 21. Kxd1 e5 22. b4 Ne6 23. Kc2 Nc6 24. Kb2 Kf8 25. Bc4 Ncd4 26. Bxe6 Nxe6 27. Nb5 Ra8 28. a4 Ba6 29. Na3 Rc8 30. b5 Bb7 31. Rc1 Rxc1 32. Kxc1 Ke7 33. a5 bxa5 34. Bxa7 f5 35. exf5 Nf4 36. g3 Nh3 37. Nc4 Ng5 38. Nxa5 Bd5 39. b6 Nxf3 40. h3 Ng5 41. b7 Bxb7 42. Nxb7 Nxh3 43. Bb6 Kd7 44. Be3 Ke7 45. Nc5 g6 46. fxg6 Kf6 47. Bxh6 Kxg6 48. Be3 1-0