> Vladimir Kramnik is new chess champion 2006

Vladimir Kramnik defeated Vaselin Topalov of Bulgaria in a championship match of 12 games via tiebreak games.

This was a long awaited unification match between FIDE certified and Braingames certified champions.

Vladimir Kramnik is the worthy champion. Right now rated below V. Anand at 3rd.

This match was consisted of 12 games at the end of which score was 6-6. The match went into the tie breaker which was won by Kramnik 2.5-1.5.

there was a fair share of Controversy in this championship :

Bathroomgate(toiletgate) :
During the course of match after game fourth, topalov`s manager complained against Kramnik`s frequent visit to the toilet. the arbitration comittee upheld the decision and closed the playing arena toilets and opened a common toilet for both the players.

To this kramnik objected and forfeited the 5th game putting in danger the championship itself. There were a lot of closed door brainstorming session after which the match restarted. Kramnik who was leading comprehensively till 4th game lost the momentum and surrendered the lead and went behind. After game 10th he foundhis rhythm back and equalised.

Read the Whole reports here:
Official FIDE site

Official Tournament site

Kramnik`s own website

These chess players are a finicky bunch

Once upon a time my favorite game - till i started to learn the various attacks/defenses - it grew too complicated for me after that

And congrats to Kramnik and finally hope that the split is over or is it ? Chess does not need that in today's world.

Kramnik is good but he is no Vishy....
he is too unpredictable...
Also wonder hw chess generates so much money so as to give large prize money...
I used to play lot of chess...Even have books on them...But later grew out of it.

yes at dipdude. the split is over for now

@vij : there is a huge chess following in europe specially.

now a days rapid and blitz chess has helped to gain the popularity.

recently blitz championships was staged where it lasted only 4 hours totally in which each player played 10 gmaes. thats really fast and furious and fruitfull too.

Kramnik is damn strong player, while anand was at his peak he ran into kasparov, karpov, and kamsky so he could not muster much in world championships. while kramnik is right now at the second peak of his career.

Second thing is players arising from russian system are really strong mentally and they really outlast the opponent in this kinda long matches involving multiple matches.

hmm...but overall in the last few years it has been Anand who has been right up there with kasparov...
In the Oscar’s modern history the award has changed hands between Kasparov and Anand with Kramnik winning only once in 2000. Between Anand and Kaparov they have won it nine times in 10 years.
But Anand has waned off late hasnt he...He seems to be the kind of guy who likes to play fast and get done with...Marathon games outlast him.

rightly said vij.

imo anand is past his prime in classical long version chess.

but still in rapid and blitz he is the man to beat.

Whoa... forfeiting a game over a toilet break?? sheesh.. its not like they told him to hold it

Well, i hope Vishy is in for next year's championship title clash