Game 10: October 24    Is the King dead?

Kramnik stunned the chess world by taking a two-point lead over world number one Garry Kasparov with a win with the white pieces in game ten on Tuesday. But perhaps the real shock is the shambles of a performance we are seeing from Kasparov.

In many ways this was one of the feeblest efforts in Kasparov's match career. He seemed completely at sea in a well-known position in the Nimzo-Indian and used a great deal of time to reach a position known to be extremely dangerous, if not nearly losing.

The position nevertheless appeared to hold defensive resources and though in clear danger, Kasparov had survived far worse earlier in this match. But Kasparov found a way to blunder material to a forced tactical sequence and he had no choice but to resign the game at once.

Now Kasparov has six games left to recoup a two-point deficit. To put the task in perspective, Kramnik recently has been losing games about once every other year. But the real question in this match is not so much can Kasparov come back, but to ask where has he been?

The brilliant technician with the most dangerous opening repertoire in the world has been replaced by a hesitant, often bumbling player. The opening preparation has been inadequate, and today's performance was truly amateurish, virtually losing a game that had been played before.

Kasparov has been written off before in his title match career. He has made his reputation on incredible brinkmanship and saved several matches with unbelievable last-minute heroics. It seems a little early to count Kasparov out, but so far there has been no spark, only the kind of ennui that hints his days are numbered.

White Vladimir Kramnik (2770) 1-0 Black Gary Kasparov (2849)

Current score: Kramnik 6 - Kasparov 4