Kramnik ahead after third game

By Our Chess Correspondent

CHENNAI, OCT. 14. World No. 2 Vladimir Kramnik overcame a slight handicap in the opening to build tremendous counterplay in the ending and hold defending champion Garry Kasparov to a thrilling draw in the third game of the Braingames World chess championship at London on Thursday.

After making the draw in the fifth hour of play on Thursday, Kramnik leads the 16-match series 2-1. He requires 8.5 points to unseat Kasparov, the holder of the world title since 1985.

The third game was a fast-paced affair after a quiet opening and had plenty of spectator value, especially during the time trouble phase of the fourth hour when either player could win. Finally, it ended in a draw after 53 moves although Kasparov should be cursing himself for missing a sound start.

Kramnik ventured into the same opening line he did in game one and threw in the challenge for Kasparov to show an improvement. Kasparov did so on the 12th move, varying from his first game move. It was the same Berlin variation of the Ruy Lopez that Kramnik preferred for the third game. This opening choice is questionable since Kasparov is known to strike and break solid openings, let alone surprise value openings like the Berlin variant.

Perhaps Kramnik will prefer openings with plenty of manoeuvring possibilities, not real well-analysed ones which will play into Kasparov's strength in tactical possibilities. Also, Kramnik did not shy away from combative play in the ending and this could be his gameplan.

Caught by surprise in Kasparov's teasing play with his knights in game three, Kramnik decided to surrender his double bishops and counter- attacked on the queen side where he had a pawn majority. Before Kasparov could roll his passed king bishop pawn, Kramnik brought in the right counter and was in time to block this advance. When the smoke of complications cleared, the game led into a forced rook ending. Here, Kasparov's advantage was a lone king night pawn in a rook ending. When he understood that the one file cut off was not enough to win the game, Kasparov accepted to share points on the 53rd turn.

In game four, Kasparov will play black. He should be coming up with the same Grunfeld defence to hold fort. A little tinkering seems necessary after the defeat in game two. Down a game, he could change tactics and opt for an aggressive opening like the Modern Benoni too. Friday is a free day and this encounter will be played on Saturday.

lThe moves: GM G. Kasparov-GM V. Kramnik, match game three, Ruy Lopez, Berlin variation, C67: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.O-O Nxe4 5.d4 Nd6 6.Bxc6 dxc6 7.dxe5 Nf5 8.Qxd8+ Kxd8 9.Nc3 Bd7 10.b3 h6 11.Bb2 Kc8 12.Rad1 b6 13.Ne2 c5 14.c4 Bc6 15.Nf4 Kb7 16.Nd5 Ne7 17.Rfe1 Rg8 18.Nf4 g5 19.Nh5 Rg6 20.Nf6 Bg7 21.Rd3 Bxf3 22.Rxf3 Bxf6 23.exf6 Nc6 24.Rd3 Rf8 25.Re4 Kc8 26.f4 gxf4 27.Rxf4 Re8 28.Bc3 Re2 29.Rf2 Re4 30.Rh3 a5 31.Rh5 a4 32.bxa4 Rxc4 33.Bd2 Rxa4 34.Rxh6 Rg8 35.Rh7 Rxa2 36.Rxf7 Ne5 37.Rg7 Rf8 38.h3 c4 39.Re7 Nd3 40.f7 Nxf2 41.Re8+ Kd7 42.Rxf8 Ke7 43.Rc8 Kxf7 44.Rxc7+ Ke6 45.Be3 Nd1 46.Bxb6 c3 47.h4 Ra6 48.Bd4 Ra4 49.Bxc3 Nxc3 50.Rxc3 Rxh4 51.Rf3 Rh5 52.Kf2 Rg5 53.Rf8 Ke5. Draw agreed. Time taken: 2.17/2.24.

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