Game 6: October 17    Kasparov wriggles out again

While the match drama remains high, the players seem to already being showing signs of punch-drunkenness. Kramnik played more ambitiously against Kasparov's choice of the Queen's Gambit Accepted this time, and a tense struggle seemed guaranteed as queens remained on the board (a novelty) and the players headed towards a mutual time scramble.

Kasparov seemed to gain the better chances but played with uncharacteristic timidity, avoiding every opportunity to complicate the game, and Kramnik slowly but surely began turning the tables. When the players had a chance to regain their calm after move 40, Kasparov was under fierce pressure. Soon he had to shed a pawn, and seemed headed for inevitable defeat and the two-point deficit he miraculously avoided on Saturday.

But just as mysterious as Kasparov's toothlessness in the match so far, has been the absence of Kramnik's vaunted technique. He invited the champion back into the game and when the third session started it was clear that the challenger had squandered another precious opportunity to widen the gap.

An increasingly odd match - excitement still surges, but sooner or later, precision must make a return to satisfy their fans.

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

Current score: Kramnik 3-1/2 - Kasparov 2-1/2