Game 12: October 28    War of nerves

Kramnik took one bold but very shaky step closer to his target of beating world number one Garry Kasparov. For a while it looked like the challenger would be punished for surprisingly ambitious play, but with both players very short of time Kramnik found a way to split the point.

Kramnik needs only to avoid defeat in the final stage of this match, yet he played a rare, speculative pawn sacrifice, gambling on his greater piece activity to give him more than enough for his investment. When, typically for this duel, Kasparov fell way behind on the clock, it seemed that Kramnik had yet again managed to secure an advantage of surprise, and would likely ambush the champ in the razor-sharp position that arose.

The game then took a mysterious turn, with Kramnik appearing indecisive not very much later. Kramnik joined his opponent in time trouble and suddenly abandoned his attack, losing the initiative as he fell back. Kasparov seemed poised to transform his extra pawn to his first point, but Kramnik escaped in mutual time pressure.

In many respects this game was a massive gamble by Kramnik, as losing at this late stage with the white pieces, after taking unnecessary chances, could have been catastrophic - not to mention bringing the conspiracy theorists out in force.

The course of the game hints that both men are tiring and have fraying nerves. But it is Kramnik who is stretching himself, and who rises to every occasion. He stays two points ahead and needs 1-1/2 out of the next four games to emerge the victor.

More and more it is looking as if only nerves undo the challenger, but so far his boldness has been rewarded, and he must be growing more confident by the day.

White Vladimir Kramnik (2770) 1/2-1/2 Black Gary Kasparov (2849)

Current score: Kramnik 7 - Kasparov 5