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World Championship Match Tied with Two Games Remaining

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World Championship Match Tied with Two Games Remaining

Vladimir Kramnik and Veselin Topalov have battled to a 5-5 tie after 10 games at the World Chess Championship, in an exciting match that has featured even more drama away from the board than on it.

Kramnik dominated the early stages of the match, winning the first two games due to some surprising blunders by Topalov. Topalov steadied himself by drawing the next two games, leaving the score at 3-1 in favor of Kramnik.

After Game Four, things began to heat up away from the board. Topalov's manager Silvio Danialov fired off a press release, complaining to the appeals committee about Kramnik's behavior. Specifically, Danialov claimed to be concerned by Kramnik's frequent use of his private bathroom, as the bathrooms were the only rooms in the playing area which did not have video surveillance. Although it was not said outright in the release, Danialov cast suspision on Kramnik - a suggestion which became all the more clear when he later released an analysis comparing Kramnik's play to that of computer program Fritz.

While most observers found the claims to be ridiculous, and many believed they were highly unsportsmanlike, the appeals committee took them seriously - shutting off both players from their private bathrooms, instead requiring them to use a common bathroom.

The situation became the subject of many jokes. However, the laughter stopped when Kramnik refused to play Game Five unless his private bathroom was reopened, as he felt the decision was unfair and the appeals committee was biased against him. Topalov was awarded Game Five by forfeit, and it appeared as though the match may be abandoned.

At this point, FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov stepped in, and attempted to broker a compromise. The appeals committee's decision was reversed, and the members resigned. Topalov threatened to leave if the forfeit was reversed, while Kramnik insisted that Game Five should be played, as the decision which he protested by not playing had been overturned. Finally, after an unscheduled day off, the players returned to the board for Game Six. The score was officially 3-2; however, Kramnik said that he would be playing the upcoming games under protest, with the issue of what to do with Game Five to be settled later.

Back at the board, the match fell into a routine. While Topalov continued to dictate the majority of play, he seemed unable to break through and score a full point. Especially frustrating for Topalov was the fact that he had White in three straight games played on the board - 4, 6 and 7 - and failed to get a single win.

After nearly a week of playing black, Kramnik finally had the white pieces for Game Eight - and it was now that Topalov finally found a win. The 52-move victory tied the match at 4-4, and marked Topalov's first win at the board.

In Game Nine, Topalov struck again, this time dominating the game from start to finish to take his first lead of the match. The score now stood at 5-4 in favor of Topalov, and it looked as though Topalov might be headed for a decisive victory in the match - one which would not be affected by the Game Five controversy.

Game Ten saw the match take yet another twist. Topalov, in an uncomfortable position, blundered to give Kramnik a simple win, which the Classical Champion easily converted. Once again, the match stood tied, now at 5-5.

There are two games left to play: Game 11 will take place on Tuesday, with Game 12 on Thursday. If the match is still tied after 12 games, there are tiebreakers scheduled for Friday. First, the two players will compete in four rapid games. If there is still a tie, two blitz games will be played. Finally, if there is still no winner, one last sudden-death game will be played - often known as an "armageddon game." White will be given 6 minutes, while Black gets just 5; however, Black only needs a draw to win the game, and the championship.

We will be providing complete coverage of the World Chess Championship Match when it concludes later this week. For now, here is Kramnik's latest win, from Game Ten of the match.

White: Vladimir Kramnik (2743)
Black: Veselin Topalov (2813)
World Chess Championship, Game 10
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. g3 Bb4+ 5. Bd2 Be7 6. Bg2 O-O 7. O-O c6 8. Bf4 Nbd7 9. Qc2 a5 10. Rd1 Nh5 11. Bc1 b5 12. cxd5 cxd5 13. e4 dxe4 14. Qxe4 Rb8 15. Qe2 Nhf6 16. Bf4 Rb6 17. Ne5 Nd5 18. Bxd5 exd5 19. Nc3 Nf6 20. Nxb5 Ba6 21. a4 Ne4 22. Rdc1 Qe8 23. Rc7 Bd8 24. Ra7 f6 25. Nd7 Rf7 26. Nxb6 Rxa7 27. Nxd5 Rd7 28. Ndc3 Rxd4 29. Re1 f5 30. Qc2 Rb4 31. Nd5 Rxb5 32. axb5 Qxb5 33. Nc7 Qc4 34. Qd1 Bxc7 35. Qd7 h6 36. Qxc7 Qb4 37. Qb8+ Qxb8 38. Bxb8 Nd2 39. Ra1 g5 40. f4 Nb3 41. Ra3 Bc4 42. Bc7 g4 43. Bxa5 1-0