Tuesday, October 10, 2006 Kramnik wins, ties series 5-5
RUSSIA'S Vladimir Kramnik leveled the series at 5-all after pulling a victory in game 10 against reigning FIDE champion Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria in their 12-game World Chess Championship last Sunday in Elista, Kalmikia.
The Bulgarian, who took the lead after game nine, resigned in 43 moves of the Catalan Opening.
Kramnik, the Classical Chess Champion, got a clear upper hand after capitalizing on the Bulgarian's pawn to f6 blunder in the 24th move.
Kramnik, who had the white pieces, responded to the blunder with a knight to d7 in the 25th move, which had a favorable imbalance for the Russian.
Rare line
In game nine, Topalov, wielding the white pieces, beat the Russian in 39 moves of a rare line of the Slav Defense.
Topalov used his two-bishop and space advantages to restrict Kramnik's pieces from activations.
The Bulgarian automatically took the upper hand after a rook capture at f7 in the 38th move.
Game 11 will resume today after a rest day yesterday.
But controversies marred the match after the appeals committee decided to lock the private comfort room of the Russian and let them share one comfort room.
Kramnik, who was two points ahead after game four, forfeited game five as a sign of protest against the decision.
Forfeiture
The match officials counted the forfeiture as a win for the Bulgarian.
From talks here in the locality, Fide Master Anthony Makinano, who bets for the Bulgarian, calls the controversy a psychological warfare after the Topalov team claims that Kramnik might be cheating for frequently visiting his comfort room.
"Well, actually it's hard to prejudice. We can't say because Kramnik had a lot of grandmasters supporting his side and even signed for his support," said Makinano.
Topalov leveled the game in game eight.
"But the last two days will be crucial," Makinano said. (JAF)
