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View Full Version : Kramnik finally draws against Vishy's uncastled King



Hal Bond
10-24-2008, 01:55 PM
Plenty of tension in the round today. Takis the Chief Arbiter was on heightened alert because of Kramnik's critical state in the match - ie being down to his last 3 whites. The Finance Minister was on hand to amke the first move but we weren't sure he would be on time so we ahd to be prepared for this delay. As it turned out everything was fine - we may have even started a moment of 2 early.

I was "castling long with Kramnik today". This is considered the most difficult shadowing assignment because of the layout of the rooms back stage. Kramnik exits left, I follow him. He enters his room and I have to scoot past his room then Anand's room to the arbiters room with the monitors - about 20 good strides. Likewise when I see he leaving his room I have to follow him back the same route to the stage. Since Kramnik often leaves the stage during the game - 14 times today compared to Vishy's 4. It's not a big deal at all but we kid each other about it regularly.

Tomorrow is another rest day. Gotta run.

Cheers!
Hal

We had another incident today as well. Someone was sitting in the front row with pocket Fritz on his palm pilot. (forbidden in the playing hall) It was first brought to my attention and I told Takis. He became a little agitated and told me to handle it. I came off the stage and sat in the vacant seat beside guy and explained that he could not use it in the hall. He was reluctant to turn it off but he finally agreed. I returned to the stage in time to escort Kramnik on his 12th departure (after move 22 I think.) When I returned the gent had left.

The game itself was another intense struggle by Vishy's reckonning. Kramnik acknowledged that once more he was caught in preparation (Bxb5) but was pleased that he had a small advantage for the first time in the match. In the final position Kramnik considered advancing his h pawn to assist with mate, and even a King march but they both agreed that this either pointless or too risky. Kramnik replied to this question "Yes of course I considered it and maybe it works but I don't believe it. I didn't want to lose like an idiot".