Kramnik a point away from crown

Kramnik defended the attack from Kasparov’s white pieces with the Archangel Variation till Game 11.

Kramnik, now quite familiar with his opponent’s weaknesses and strengths after having played 13 consecutive games here, employed the Berlin Defence of Ruy Lopez after the 11th move. Kramnik knew well that Kasparov is ill at ease with this technique. Kasparov played the next move after a well-thought 33 minutes which he thought to be a novelty. But it was too late to play a novelty and game watchers remarked that if he had a novelty in mind, he should have played it right in the beginning.

Realising that his white had earned no advantage whatsoever in the position, Kasparov offered a draw on move 14 which Kramnik accepted. The game lasted 75 minutes.