Kramnik keeps world title
• Chess
By Tony Dowden
World champion Vladimir Kramnik (29), of Russia, has retained his title by the narrowest possible margin against the Hungarian, Peter Leko (25), in Brissago, Switzerland. The match was drawn, with two wins and 10 draws apiece. Leko appeared to control proceedings through the middle rounds but missed chances to cement his lead. Kramnik’s superior match experience finally showed, as he played with extra aggression and energy in the closing rounds.
The next stage of the “unification” of the world championship sees topranked Garry Kasparov play 47th-ranked Fide world champion, Rustam Kasimdzhanov, in Dubai in January 2005. If all goes to plan, the winner will go on to play Kramnik.
Today’s game is the crucial last round encounter at Brissago, with Kramnik as White in a game he had to win at all costs. 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5 The Advanced variation of the Caro-Kann Defence. 3. — Bf5 4. h4 h6 4. — h5 is more popular 5. g4 Bd7 6. Nd2!? A new move. Leko is soon out of his comfort zone and does not respond well to White’s aggressive play. 6. — c5?! 7. dxc5 e6 8. Nb3 Bxc5 9. Nxc5 Qa5+ 10. c3 Qxc5 11. Nf3 Ne7 12. Bd3 Nbc6 13. Be3 Qa5 14. Qd2 Ng6 Black is passively placed which is a recipe for certain disaster when playing a desperate world champion. Here, Kasparov suggested a pawn sacrifice with 14 — d4!? His idea is to gain some breathing room for the black pieces by swapping Black’s bad bishop and gaining control of the important d5 square. Play might continue 15. cxd4 Nb4, 16. 0-0 Qd5, 17. Be2 Bb5, 18. Bxb5+ Qxb5, 19. Rfc1 when White only has a small edge. 15. Bd4 Nxd4 16. cxd4 Qxd2+ 17. Kxd2 Nf4 18. Rac1 h5 19. Rhg1! Bc6 20. gxh5 Nxh5 21. b4! a6 22. a4! White forces the pace on both sides of the board. Now Black has to decide whether to grab the pawn on a4 or to prevent White’s rook from penetrating to c7. 22. — Kd8 23. Ng5 Be8?! Black continues his policy of passive defence but this virtually seals victory for White. 24. b5 Nf4 25. b6! Nxd3 26. Kxd3 Rc8 27. Rxc8+ Kxc8 28. Rc1+ Bc6 After 28 — Kb8 29. Rc7 Rf8, Black quickly runs out of sensible moves. 29. Nxf7 Rxh4 30. Nd6+ The huge knight on d6 contrasts powerfully with Black’s anaemic bishop. 30. — Kd8 31. Rg1 Rh3+ 32. Ke2 Ra3 33. Rxg7 Rxa4 34. f4! Ra2+ 35. Kf3 Ra3+ 36. Kg4 Rd3?! 36 — Ra1 is more resistant but the final result is no longer really in doubt. 37. f5 Rxd4+ 38. Kg5 exf5 39. Kf6 Rg4 40. Rc7 Rh4 41. Nf7+ 1-0 41. — Ke8, 42. Rc8+ Kd7, 43. Rd8 is mate.
