Game 1 Commentary

1 e4 A surprise! The Ruy Lopez. Kasparov often plays the Scotch (3.d4), however he has decided to play the Lopez, as he played with great success in the 1993 match against Short. Kramnik must have prepared for the Scotch. 3...Nf6 Kramnik has replied with the solid Berlin defence, this has lead to a queenless middlegame.

9...Bd7 I think the opening has been a success for Kramnik, he has avoided any heavy preparation by Kasparov and removed Kasparov's most dangerous weapon - his queen. Kasparov has already used up half an hour and Kramnik 5 mins, it looks like Kramnik has the better preparation.

10.b3 is a new move, although there are claims that Shirov has played this position before. Fritz 6 gives the position as very slight advantage Kasparov.

13...Ne7 A new move! Krasenkow played 13...a5 against Shirov earlier in the year.

13.Rad1 Kasparov is already way behind on the clock! - Times Kasparov 1.06 Kramnik 1.48 - Kasparov has used up a lot of time!! We expect Kasparov to double rooks on the d file and try to penetrate perhaps on d8. Blacks plan is often to play c5 and Bc6. GM elect Parker thinks white is better, having played this opening many times with black.

14.Ne2 Kasparov only has 50 minutes left.

15. Ne1 Fritz 6 gives white better by 0.53, Hiarcs 7.2 gives 0.60. It looks like Kasparov is going for kingside expansion with f2-f4-f5. If Kramnik moves his dark squared bishop, he has to watch out for e6 when Kasparov is attacking the g7 pawn with his bishop on b2. Clock Times Kasparov 0.45 left Kramnik 1.28 (88mins)

15...h5 The idea is to secure an outpost at f5 for the knight. It does however cede the g5 square.

16.Nd3 The general opinion is that Kasparov is much better, but the clock may force Kasparov to take a draw. Clock Times Kasparov 39 mins Kramnik 1:26.

16...c5 This move stops a knight coming to d4, but undefends the d5 square.

17.c4 Kasparov starting to move quicker. We expect Kasparov to try and put a knight on d5. Fritz 0.56

19.Nc3 Clock Times Kasparov 0.34 Kramnik 0.48 Fritz assessment=0.62 Now it is Kramnik's turn to consume time. Kasparov is going to utilise the d5 square.

19...Be6. Clock Times Kasparov 0.34 Kramnik 0.44. The black bishop must stay on this diagonal to cover the f5 square. He would like to play Bc6 but this would allow f4. If white plays f4, black must answer with Ne7 to control the f5 square. The bishop moves away from the line of fire of the rook on d1, allowing the king on c8 to move to b7.

20.Nd5 Clock Times Kasparov 0.21 Kramnik 0.43 The knight looks to be re-routing to e3 so as to play f2-f4-f5

20...Kb7. Kramnik has to get his queens rook into the game.

21.Ne3. Kasparov still wants to play for f2-f4-f5.

21...Rh5 A great move, so now we see the point of 18...h4. Kramnik is getting back into this game. His plan is to keep the black squared bishop at home, play Re8 and pressure Kasparov's e pawn. If kasparov is forced to play f4 then kramnik will play Ne7 and exploit the f5 square. Kasparov is starting to get low on time, will he offer a draw? Clock Times : Kasparov 0.17 Kramnik 0.40

22.Bc3 Clock Times Kasparov 0.12 Kramnik 0.38

22...Re8. Kramnik continues with his plan

23.Rd2. Kasparov is keeping control and moving quickly. Clock Times Kasparov 0.11 Kramnik 0.36

24.f4. Kramnik must stop f5.

25.Nf2 Fritz gives the position as 0.22 better for Kasparov. If Kramnik plays Nf5 Kasparov will exchange, play Ng4 and then Ne3. The position is pretty level.

25...Nf5 Kramnik offers a DRAW. Kasparov accepts. Final clock times unconfirmed : Kasparov 0.09 Kramnik 0.29.