Kramnik repeated the Spanish Opening, but his Hungarian challenger came up with a new and powerful idea: 14…d5, offering a pawn sacrifice. Kramnik decided not to take the risk and choses a solid reply 15.Bg5, hoping to get some initiative on the kingside. But after c5-c4 his bishop on a2 started to look bad. It took the world champion some time to bring the bishop back into the game. The game ended in a 20-move draw
Game 7
Game 7
In game seven Leko tried 1.d4 again. The reigning classical chess world champion chose a rare move order and sprang the first surprise: after nine moves the position from the Queen’s gambit accepted was on the board, with a small difference: White had already played a4. Kramnik used a weak b4 square for his knight and wanted to blockade the isolated pawn d4. Leko did not feel at home in the new opening and decided to simplify the position. After 13.d4-d5 he could only hope for a small advantage. But Kramnik played a strong defensive move, 16…Bc8. White was forced to go into an endgame where his activity is just enough to compensate for Black’s bishop pair. A draw was agreed. Kramnik now has one extra game with White in the second half of the match. “I’m sure, that the second half of the match will be a fight now”, said Leko (25) after today’s game, that ended in a draw after three hours and 21 moves. The 29 year old Kramnik said: “It’s a very difficult match. Now the tension will grow from day to day.”
Game 8
Game 8
Leko was really under pressure in theis Ruy Lopez when Kramnik produced the rare continuation 15.Re4 and 16.Qf1. Leko’s combative 16…Qh5 which was not only based on sound practical considerations but also proved sound enough, will be the main line. After the game Leko explained that he had to consume a lot of time working out what was an unfamiliar position and: “I decided to keep the queens on because if anything went wrong I would keep practical chances”. As for Kramnik he pretty much admitted it was an error in preparation but he was very gracious in defeat and said: Of course it is disappointing but it is better to lose this way in a beautiful game that will be remembered in the history of chess.” Well it is not really up there for me but Leko’s belief in his position was impressive and finding Ng4!! when he played Qg6 deserves great praise as well.
Game 9
Game 9
In this game Kramnik with black chose the Queen Indian defence against Leko’s 1.d4. The challenger spent a lot of time in the opening, trying to come up with a way to break the defensive wall of the world champion. In the end, at move 16, he decided to attack in the center with thematic advance e2–e4, but having already spent about 70 minutes he accepted a surprise draw offer by Kramnik. This was the shortest game of the championship so far.
Game 10
Game 10
Vladimir Kramnik for the first time in this match got a clearly better position out of the opening. With challenger Peter Leko in a passive endgame with several pawn weaknesses, Kramnik looked for a forced win. He sacrificed a pawn on move 24 in an attempt to cut off Leko’s rook. But the 25-year-old Hungarian defended well, in spite of being in time pressure. The game ended in a draw. “I am trying to keep the lead and just thinking from game to game”, said the 25-year-old challenger from Hungary in the press conference after the game.
Game 11
Game 11
The 11th game ended in a draw here. The Queen’s Indian Defence game lasted just 17 moves. Kramnik with Black improved on one of his games and played a strong novelty Nh5. Leko missed this move in his home preparation and was forced to go for a repetition of the moves. So the 25 year old Hungarian is still in the lead. ‘I have still all chances and two games with White’, said titleholder Kramnik after the game. Leko as challenger needs 7½ points to win the title.”
