Kasparov Rises From Low
By Arvind Aaron
Marginalised in the match in the openings by underdog Vladimir Kramnik so far, the world No.1 Garry Kasparov bounced back to rediscover himself in the event as the half way mark was reached in his 16-match Braingames World Championship match. But at the end of the day, he missed a chance to win while playing fast in Kramnik's time pressure and signed a draw in 38 moves.
His Nimzo-Indian defence was the third choice alternative in four black games and it delivered the surprise value he badly needed in the match. The novelty on move 16 and sharp moves on the 18th turn kept him fighting aggressively with the black pieces. Kramnik's idea to play Ne2 and 0-0 when the centre was under pressure gave black the initiative. Kasparov used it well until he went 35...Rxg2.
Kramnik played well in the last half of the game after being bitten by Kasparov's opening surprise and speedy play. Kasparov took only 62 minutes for his entire games and Kramnik had used 113 minutes. Kasparov's changed strategy could alter the course of the match. But in game ten, Kramnik is going to come prepared for the Nimzo-Indian and that will be the key game of the match.
At the end, after Kramnik avoided plenty of pitfalls which could have led him to disaster, played accurately and hard hitting moves to force a draw although he had two pawns less. It was an ending of opposite colour bishops and Kramnik had the blockade on the dark squares.