Zurich Chess Challenge
6th and final round: Levon Aronian (Armenia) – Vladimir Kramnik (Russia) draw. – Final score: Aronian 3, Kramnik 3.
Game score round 6: Aronian-Kramnik 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. Nbd2 d6 6. c3 O-O 7. O-O Ne7 8. h3 Ng6 9. Re1 c6 10. Ba4 Re8 11. d4 Bb6 12. Bc2 h6 13. a4 Be6 14. Nf1 exd4 15. Nxd4 Bd7 16. f4 d5 17. e5 Ne4 18. Bxe4 dxe4 19. a5 Bxa5 20. Ng3 Bb6 21. Kh2 c5 22. Ndf5 Bxf5 23. Nxf5 Qxd1 24. Rxd1 Rad8 25. Be3 Rd3 26. Re1 f6 27. exf6 gxf6 28. Nxh6+ Kf8 29. Ra4 Rd5 30. c4 Rd3 31. b4 Rxe3 32. Rxe3 cxb4 33. Rg3 e3 34. Rxg6 e2 35. Ra1 Bf2 36. Rg8+ Ke7 37. Rg7+ Kd6 38. Rxb7 e1=Q 39. Rxe1 Bxe1 40. Nf5+ Kc5 41. Rb5+ Kc6 42. Nd4+ Kc7 43. Rc5+ Drawn.
Final report: The Zurich Chess Challenge between the numbers 2 and 3 of the World ranking, Levon Aronian (Armenia) and Vladimir Kramnik (Russia), ended in a 3:3 tie. In the final game the two players again showed a brilliant fight. Aronian took the initiative but later on again overestimated his chances. With the mistake 31 b4 he allowed Kramnik a very promising exchange sacrifice. However, when on move 33 Kramnik pushed his e-pawn (instead of 33…Ne7!), this natural move already spoiled his chances since the resourceful Armenian found a surprising perpetual check in the ensuing endgame. Despite missing this opportunity, Kramnik showed himself very satisfied with the course of the match and the content of the games. His opponent Aronian was also happy with the outcome, and the experience gained in this match with the former World champion will be very valuable in his own future quests for the World championship title.
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Richard Forster
media@kramnikaronian.com
Nakamura is better than both of them.
Great comment.