Kramnik deals Kasparov another defeat

World champion Garry Kasparov was dealt another heavy defeat in his match-up against his former student Vladimir Kramnik in the 10th Game of the BGN World Championship 2000.

In what is the shortest loss in his career, Kasparov was beaten in just 25 moves.

Kramnik now leads Kasparov 6-4 in the 16-game match.

This was probably Kasparov’s worst game ever. He was busted in the opening and put up very little resistance subsequently. It looked like he just was not supposed to be there.

Kasparov did not appear to know what he was doing in a main line of the Nimzo-Indian Defence.

The first 19 moves were theory and four moves later Kasparov blundered but he was probably lost anyway. 23...h5 was suggested but after 24.Ng5+ Kg8 25.Qf5!! the threat is Re6 or Re7 and Qg6. Kasparov opted for quick surrrender and resigned.

Kasparove now needs to win four out of the remaining six games in the contest else there'll be a new world champion.

In the after-match press conference Kasparov still sounded pretty confident saying that if he plays the way he is capable of, he can get back into the match.

Kramnik on his part was cautious and confident. He said the match is not over yet.

Kramnik-Kasparov Game 10

1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nc3 Bb4 Kramnik avoids the Nimzo-Indian 4.Qc2 variation of game 8 and plays 4.e3 the main line against the Nimzo-Indian for the best part of 50 years before Kasparov revitalised Qc2. 4. e3 O-O 5. Bd3 d5 6. Nf3 c5 7. O-O cxd4 8. exd4 dxc4 9. Bxc4 b6 10. Bg5 Bb7 11. Re1 Kramnik has 1:53 left, Kasparov 1:46 Nbd7 12. Rc1 Rc8 Kramnik has 1:49 left, Kasparov 1:44 13. Qb3 Be7? After a long think from Kasparov, its still theory. However after the game Kasparov commented that he had to take on c3 here. 14. Bxf6 Nxf6 15. Bxe6 fxe6 16. Qxe6 Kh8 17. Qxe7 Bxf3 18. gxf3 Qxd4 19. Nb5 Qxb2 20. Rxc8 Rxc8 Kramnik 58 Kasparov 39 21. Nd6 Rb8 22.Nf7+ Kg8 23.Qe6 Can Kramnik turn his advantage into a win? Rf8? h5 is tenacious defence. Kramnik is winning. 24.Nd8+ Kh8 25.Qe7 1-0 Kramnik 32 mins left Kasparov 29.

Agencies