One More White Goes Down For Kasparov
By Arvind Aaron
Vladimir Kramnik's surprises are not yet over. Having done a lot of work with black, he chose Thursday to show his second choice line that he had prepared with black. It is the Arkhangelsk variation in the same Ruy Lopez family. It appeared good timing as Garry Kasparov should have come pounding with a novelty against the Berlin defence which has become more a wall.
Caught out of preparation, Kasparov appeared to opt for the line and make a draw. But after the end of the game, he said he forgot his preparation which was 23.Ra1 instead of 23.Kf2. The two bishops that he was up against for rook and two pawns did not have enough in the end. They agreed to a draw when Kramnik could sacrifice a bishop for an advancing white pawn and make a draw with the other lone bishop against Kasparov's rook.
Kramnik did not need to run to another opening but opted for it which is sound match judgment. He has realised that surprises win or hold, nothing else. Black played comfortably and did not have to panic at any moment in the game. Kasparov failed to make an impression after eleven games. With five more games to go, Kasparov has two whites and needs to win both to stop an era from being over.
For the first time in the match, Kasparov admitted he has not been playing well. Chess players unlike tennis stars blame themselves for lack of success. They seldom credit their opponents for a nice game.