Russian GM Vladimir Kramnik defeated GM Veselin Topalov 2.5-1.5 in the four-game tiebreak after a tough twelve-game match, which ended 6-6. Kramnik demonstrated his excellent nervous system by grinding down his opponent in two very well-played endings in game two and four.

With this victory in the tie-break there will be no discussion at all regarding the famous fifth game, which everyone remembers was won by Topalov after Kramnik forfeited in protest to the decision of the Appeals Committee to close his bathroom, following Topalov’s protest.

Although maybe not playing the best chess, Kramnik has demonstrated once again his excellent match game technique, by winning three classical games (Topalov only won two on-the-board games) in addition to his first class approach to the tie-break games, a series of four 25 minute games with a ten-second increment.

After defeating Garry Kasparov in 2000 and Peter Leko in 2004, Kramnik will definitely go into the history books as one of the few champions who have defended the WC title twice in a row successfully, whereas this match in Elista will also be sorrowfully remembered as the “Toilet and Computers” match.

Two other items will still have to be discussed. Will Vladimir defend his title next year in the Mexico City 2007 championship? Topalov will not play now that he has lost. Also, we shall see if Kramnik will take over the challenge that Radjabov had put forward to Topalov before this match, with a 1-milion euro prize fund.

I have always believed that while Topalov is a very strong super GM he's actually not the strongest. Now I know that the battle is not always to the strong etc, etc, But I always felt Kramnik had the upper hand in the match due to their contrasting styles of play. Checking out the two players' games, you will see that Topalov excels in tactical positions, he seems to have a penchant for exchange sacrifices while Kramnik does very well in technical games, strategic etc. As every chess player knows, one tends to get more of 'dry' positions than wild ones. By the way Kramnik must be congratulated for managing to neutralize Topalov.

Now I'll be rooting for one of my four favourite players to win it next year( Anand, Adams, Carlsen and Morozevich).

By the way it's nice to have a chess lover on this site. do you play online or over the board chess?

Chess belongs to the Russians anyway

Says who? If you mean they have a lot of very good chess players. then yes , i guess. but chess did not originate in russia. at olympiads it is not a given that the russian team will come first. and on any given day, there are a lot of other nationals that will give them a run for their money. take the topalovs,anands,sasikirans,negis, carlsens, adams' etc. it's a wonderful jungle out there.

cristino do u play?

A little, not good @ all, but surely whoops ass when I plan ahead, never beaten the computer, not even level 1!

As for me I'm a registered member of International Chess Club (ICC) i have access to watch GRANDMASTER matches live online and to play with whom i want.

Kramnik's first declarations as World Champion

Immediately after Topalov extended his hand in a sign of resigning the 4th tiebreak game, the crowd became ecstatic. There were shouts, applause, friendly slaps and handshakes… Kramnik got off the table, threw his fists in the sky, just like in Moscow 1994 after his sensational victory over Kasparov, and got into tight embrace of his manager Hensel. Other team members were also there – Illescas, Rublevsky, Motylev, Krylov, Rösch, and even the cook… In a few minutes the new ‘absolute’ FIDE world champion moved to the press conference hall, where he was warmly met by dozens of journalists.

– In a situation that was similar to yours Mikhail Tal said ‘My head is filled with sun!’ What were your first words after the match ended?
– I was very concentrated on the play, and even after I won the last game, I was still in a fighting mood. The moment after Veselin played 44…Rc5 was very emotional for me – I felt very happy. The joy passed after I replied 45.Rb7+. I need time to realize what happened. This was a very tough match, and I think I did a good job, considering the odds given to the opponent. Maybe it was the first case in the history of the world championship matches when one of the players had extra point and extra White. I am glad I managed to win under such circumstances.

Great thread!

I watched the game 5 to about th eend; never knew Topalov wud be able to get a draw! It has been said that Kramnik plays like a comp Fritz 9! The stats show that 76.6% of the time, his first line agrees with what Fritz 9 says! Incredible!

And wwe shud realy organize a chess championship in N/L! Ive beaten several computer chess games; but im still struggling with Fritz 8 and Chess Genius!!!

So, whos for some [b]Sicilian [/b]torture!!!

pfowighz:

Great thread!

I watched the game 5 to about th eend; never knew Topalov would be able to get a draw! It has been said that Kramnik plays like a comp Fritz 9! The stats show that 76.6% of the time, his first line agrees with what Fritz 9 says! Incredible!

And wwe should realy organize a chess championship in N/L! Ive beaten several computer chess games; but im still struggling with Fritz 8 and Chess Genius!!!

So, whos for some [b]Sicilian [/b]torture!!!

Bring it on dude! Get ready for some serious ass-whooping

I supported Kramnik in the match because I didn't want a FIDE champ to be the world champ. It would give them a lot of credibility. At least now we know that the BRAINGAMES/ ACP champ Kramnik is the world's best player. By the way, Topalov is a cocky guy who tried to win the title outside the board. Does anybody here know how I can play Chess online? My favorite site Instantchess.com is no longer free.

qblaze:

Does anybody here know how I can play Chess online? My favorite site Instantchess.com is no longer free.

You can register with www.chessworld.net, www.gameknot.com and www.itsyourturn.com for your free online chess game. You are going to enjoy it.

Kramnik's first interview after Elista

by Gonzalo Aragonés, Moscow.
Translated by IM Michael Rahal

They said that he had the advantage as he was Russian and the Reunification World Chess Championship would take place in his country. But it wasn’t to be. Vladimir Kramnik (Tuapse, 1975), was the dissident champion, the heir of Garry Kasparov, the man who provoked the 1993 chess schism when he faced the International Federation (FIDE). Also, the “toilet gambit” invented by Bulgarian Vesselin Topalov made him lose his psychological balance, something which is fundamental in the highest level of competition. However, Kramnik maintained his strength of character and avoided falling into the trap. Now, more relaxed in a Moscow Hotel, Vladimir receives “La Vanguardia”, to recall the last three weeks that have turned him into the unique World Chess Champion.

Q. Which differences have you found between this duel with Topalov in Elista (Kalmykian Republic) and the match for the World Championship title in 2000, when you defeated Garry Kasparov?

A. Each World Championship is unique and comparing them is quite difficult. With regard to the match, in this one with Topalov the same thing has happened. This match has meant a lot to my career and, in addition, it has been very significant for the chess world. It was slightly different due to the events that happened during the match, but the opponent was very strong.

For me, each match is special. Comparing is difficult and also a long time has already passed since the match with Kasparov and of course the situation has changed a bit. You start playing differently, you have more experience. And on the other hand, while you gain more experience you lose energy when you grow older.

But can we say that this title is a bit special, as it means the reunification of the two titles?

Yes, of course. This match is special exactly because of that. This is a unique characteristic; there hasn’t been any other match in the history with two champions.

There are many people who consider you to be Kasparov’s heir, the young grand master of the next generation who studied and then defeated him.

Of course, that is true. I learned a lot in the match against Kasparov, but not only against him. I studied all his predecessors, and I tried to learn the best of each of them, in addition to all the strongest players in the history of chess. But as I personally worked with Kasparov, maybe he influenced my growth even more, as we were communicating personally during the study sessions.

Did the Elista “toilet scandal” involve a psychological blow for you?

-Unfortunately this is not the first time that a player tries to influence his opponent psychologically in a World Championship match, or try to break the favourable playing rhythm, especially when he is losing. I have never used these methods and I never will. In this case, it is clear that my opponent was trying to achieve an advantage and create uneasiness, as in this duel there was no objective reason to start this type of protests. The organization was top-level, everything was under surveillance and revised, both of us had signed a contract beforehand. I think that the objective was to create tension and put psychological pressure on me. At some moments it wasn’t very nice and it affected my balance… But simply I would like this to serve as a lesson so that this doesn’t happen again in the future in a World Championship match, because I consider the game of chess to be a competition. But the result must be decided on the board, and all the rest must be kept at the level of a relationship between gentlemen.

you can also register on www.chesshere.com

nice site.

I would be interested in playing in a chess tourney organised here.