Game Four: October 14    Near Death Experience

Kramnik came within a whisker of being the first person to open a two point lead over Kasparov, since the latter's title debut against Karpov in 1984. Only the unique cocktail of championship nerves and opposition robbed the challenger of a vital victory.

After Kasparov's loss in game two with his beloved Grünfeld Defence, he made a surprising switch to the Queen's Gambit Accepted, a sign that he has expanded his repertoire (as usual) for a big match, and that he was looking for a solid alternative to his customary dynamic defences.

The opening of the game again featured an extremely rapid exchange of queens, but despite the apparent sterility of the position, high drama unfolded steadily. Kramnik played with great ambition and confidence, and stormed forwarded, grabbing a pawn and unleashing mind-boggling complications as both players ran short of time.

Kasparov blundered a piece with a hasty 38th move, and when calm was restored after reaching the time control two moves later, his grim countenance left no doubt that he was waiting for the inevitable.

He managed to make the most of the resistance left in his position, and the players headed for a second time scramble with complications still raging despite the greatly reduced material. Excited commentators made several claims of missed wins for Kramnik, but one should wait for quiet reflection before passing judgement.

Mistakes, even grave ones, were almost certainly made, but the intensity of these latest battles explains all. Kramnik must take on the defender's role in game five, less than a day of having to shake off bitter disappointment. And Kasparov, who must have been wondering if his reign was coming to an end, has a new lease on life.

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

Current score: Kramnik 2-1/2 - Kasparov 1-1/2