Game 2 of 16Decisive
Vladimir Kramnik — Garry Kasparov
10 October 2000 · Grünfeld Defence · 40 moves
White
Vladimir Kramnik
1
vs
Black
Garry Kasparov
0
Summary
The first decisive game of the match. Kramnik unveiled a prepared novelty in the Grünfeld and broke through Kasparov’s defence: 1 — 0 already by the second round. After the loss, Kasparov abandoned the Grünfeld for the rest of the match.
Board
Garry Kasparov0/79
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
a1
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
Vladimir Kramnik
Starting position
Moves
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
31.
32.
33.
34.
35.
36.
37.
38.
39.
40.
Controls: ← / → · Home / End. Click any move in the list to jump to that position.
Commentary
Kramnik avoided a head-on theoretical duel and chose a structural line in which Kasparov could not get his usual active play.
By move 20 White had a clear positional plus: a better pawn structure, more active minor pieces and pressure along a half-open file.
Trying to shake the position up, Kasparov weakened his own king and dropped material. Kramnik converted without any errors.