Game 15: November 2    The new and undefeated champion!

And so Kasparov failed in his bid to lengthen his title defence against Vladimir Kramnik; failed to win a single game with white, to win a game at all.

For the first time in the match he returned to 1.d4, the opening move which he has played the most throughout his illustrious career. He managed a minute advantage but could make no progress against Kramnik's rather peculiar defensive manoeuvres, and a flurry of pinpoint accuracy as the time control approached made it clear that, once again, the challenger was unbeatable in London.

The excuses expected by cynics did not emerge at the closing press conference. Kasparov took his defeat calmly and politely. His simple explanation for failure was that he had been totally out-prepared by Kramnik and that he had exhausted himself trying to adjust to this during the event.

The question of a reunification match with official international chess body FIDE provoked some interesting angles. Kasparov said that this event was the real world championship, and that Kramnik is the 14th world champion. The BrainGames Network have said that both players are under exclusive contract to contest title matches under their auspices for the next five years. Kramnik says that he is waiting for the BGN "to work it out".

It will be interesting to see what the future holds, and to examine more closely Kasparov's explanations for his defeat. In the meantime, he is waiting to see how he can regain the crown he has held for 15 years.

White Gary Kasparov (2849) ½-½ Black Vladimir Kramnik (2770)

Final score: Kramnik 8½ - Kasparov 6½