Vladimir Kramnik, new reunified World Chess Champion

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.

Category: Chess , Elista