A short match of 6 classical games may not be enough to prove a stronger player, but is showing exciting games being played so far. The match between two 2800 rated players is completed half way, and the second half promises to offer lively games.

I was thinking that the match would be drawn 3-3, at the start.

In game 1, Kramnik missed something in his preparation and went down to perfect play by Aronian. Aronian reached an incredible 2830(almost) in the live ratings, just 6 points below Carlsen.

In game 2, Aronian was against Kramnik's Berlin, but could not crack the famous wall of Kramnik.

In game 3, Kramnik and Aronian played an offbeat line in the four knight s opening, wit Aronian sacrificing his queen for 3 pieces. An exciting game resulted in a beautiful victory for Kramnik.

So the score now stands at 1.5-1.5 with 3 games to go. Hoping for similar fireworks in some of the games ahead.

Game 4 featured the Berlin defence once again by Kramnik, and once again Aronian found no breakthrough. I don't know if it was a good choice by Aronian to play against the Berlin when Kramnik is on the black side of it. Rfe1 was the new move, but black found strong play soon after that.

Kramnik will probably go for a win in the 5th game, that will add some pressure on Aronian. Nice try by Aronian to crack Kramnik's Berlin game, i think he should switch to something else in the last game.

The score stands 2-2, with 2 games to go.

I have really enjoyed all the games so far. With the exception of Aronian's time trouble (13 second for 8 moves, with no increment) in game 3, the play has been of extremely high quality, and very interesting. The rapid game after round 4 was fun to watch, and it is great that these two chess giants have such sportsmanship and a friendly regard for one another. Looking forward to the last two games, although I have a feeling they will both be drawn.

Game 5 was enjoyable game. What a game. At one moment it looked like there was nothing left, when Aronian decided to go for complications with Ng5, and then Kramnik made the correct moves (Rybka agrees) to maintain 0.00 evaluation. THe only dull moment was in the end when Kramnik had a long thought and decided to repeat the position, just when GM Shipov (at Chessvibes) thought of getting a fresh cup of coffee !. Don't know how it tasted for him after 2 more moves when the game ended in a draw.

Score stands at 2.5-2.5 after an exciting game. I think Leven should play anything other than 1.e4 to have any chances to go +1 in the match. Kramnik is a very strong defender of the black side and like Avalon, i too feel it will end 3-3 at the end.

The match ended 3-3, and was of a high quality. Aronian tried unsuccesfully to crack Kramnik's Berlin defence again , this time with a twist.

Both players keep their ratings more or less. It was what they call 'short and sweet', and i think more players playing short friendly matches will do a lot good to chess, both in terms of viewership and quality.

Now, on to the big fight between the veterans starting soon in Moscow! I hope they can produce quality games just like the previous World Championship matches.

So, what's happened to the Petroff? I didn't get to yell "Thar she blows!" once during this match. Is the Petroff in the shop for repairs, or did he just go back to the Berlin for variety's sake, since it was just a friendly match.

Maybe Kramnik didn't want to use his Petroff preparation in a friendly match, or he wanted to see how the Berlin holds up against a top-level opponent these days, or he was simply surprised by 1.e4 and figured Aronian must have cooked something up against the Petroff. Anyway the Berlin wasn't a huge surprise either. I was more surprised that Aronian went for it in all three of his White games after he rarely ever played 1.e4 before. Maybe he wanted to simulate a situation in a world championship match when he has to break down the opponent's opening, but it was still a bit odd in such a short match.

Overall it was a good match, both players were clearly willing to take some risks and try out some stuff. It would be nice to see more matches like this, although with the candidate matches replaced by a candidate tournament the incentive has probably become a little smaller.

Kramnik, 'The e4 killer' chose the most efficient way of neutralising e4, i think.The Petroff was another choice that would yielded the same result in my opinion. Ok, may be there are more chances to beat the Petroff than the Berlin defence, but not against Kramnik. Aronian trying to beat it 3 times, utililizing all his whites against Kramnik was strange. I think both may be trying to hide their analysis for the upcoming Candidates next year. Maybe nobody wants to try playing 1. e4 against Kramnik anyway, and Kramnik knows that, and Aronian just gave a confirmation of the same. .

Gelfand plays the Petroff, and is known to use it as his main line, we can maybe expect the Petroff to surface in the Moscow WCC shortly, if Anand goes for e4.



It looks like this was the first time that Aronian decided to open with 1. e4 against Kramnik in classical games. Most of their games have featured Queens gambit declined (Slav, Semi Slav, Declined) , the English and Catalan Openings so far. Kramnik also seems to played 1.e4 for the first time against Aronian in this match when he played the four knights opening in game 3.