Vladimir Kramnik: An outstanding career
Garry Kasparov knows chess talent when he sees it and he was one of the strongest supporters of the young Kramnik. It was Kasparov who insisted on letting the 17-year old Kramnik play in the Russian National Team at the Chess Olympiad in Manila 1992 – though Russia had many strong and experienced grandmasters and Kramnik at that time was not even an International Master. But Kramnik did not disappoint: with a result of 8½/9 he helped the Russian team to win gold and also won gold for the best results as first reserve.
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1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7 4.e4 d6 5.f3 0-0 6.Be3 c5!? 7.dxc5 dxc5 8.Qxd8 Rxd8 9.Bxc5 Nc6 10.Ba3 10.Nd5 Nd7 11.Ba3 11.Bxe7 Nxe7 12.Nxe7+ Kf8 13.Nd5 13.Nxc8?! Bxb2! 13...Bxb2 14.Rb1 Bg7 15.Ne2!? 15.h4 Nc5 16.h5 g5 15...Nc5 16.Nc1 16.Nec3 Be6 17.Be2 Bxc3+ 18.Nxc3 Nd3+= 16...Be6 17.Nd3 Rac8! 11.Nxe7+ Nxe7 12.Bxe7 Bxb2= 11...e6 12.Nc7 Rb8 13.0-0-0 a6 14.f4 Bf8 15.Bxf8 Kxf8 16.Nf3 Nc5 17.Rxd8+ Nxd8∞ 10.Nge2 10.Rd1 10...a5 10...b6 11.Be2 11.Nge2 11.Rd1 11...Nd7 12.0-0-0 Bxc3 13.bxc3 Ba6 14.c5 Bxe2 15.Nxe2 bxc5 16.Nf4 Nce5= 11.Rd1 11.Nd5?! Nxd5 12.cxd5 Nb4 13.0-0-0 e6! 14.Bc4 exd5 15.Bxb4 15.exd5? Bh6+! 16.Kb1 Bf5+-+ 15...axb4 16.Rxd5 16.Bxd5 Rxd5 17.Rxd5 17.exd5 Rxa2 17...Be6 18.Rd6 Bh6+ 19.Kc2 Rc8+ 20.Kd3 Bc4+ 21.Kd4 Bf1 16...Be6 17.Rxd8+ Rxd8 18.Bd5 18.Bxe6? Bh6+ 19.Kc2 Rd2+ 18...Bh6+ 19.f4 Bxf4+ 20.Kb1 Bxd5 21.exd5 Rxd5 22.Nf3 g5 23.h3 h5 24.Re1 Kg7 11.Bc5 Nd7 12.Be3 a4 13.0-0-0 a3 14.Nge2 axb2+ 15.Kxb2 b6 16.Kb1 Ba6 17.Nd4 Na5∞ 11...Be6 12.Nd5 Bxd5 13.cxd5 Nb4 14.Bb5 14.Bd3 Nxd3+ 15.Rxd3 e6 16.Ne2 exd5 17.e5 Ne8 18.f4 b5! 19.Bc5 f6 20.Be7 Rd7 21.exf6 Nxf6 22.Bxf6 Bxf6 14...Nc2+ 15.Kf2!? 15.Ke2 Nxa3 16.bxa3 Rac8 17.Nh3 Rc2+ 18.Rd2 Rxd2+ 19.Kxd2 e6 20.Ke2 exd5 21.Rd1 Bf8 22.a4 Bd6= 15...Nxa3 16.bxa3 e6 16...Rac8 17.Ne2 Rc2 18.Rc1 Rxa2 19.Rc7 Bf8 20.a4∞ 17.d6! 17.Ne2!? 17...e5 18.Ne2 Bf8 19.d7 Bxa3 20.g4!N 20.Rd3 Bc5+ 20...h6 21.h4 a4 22.Rd3 Bb2! 23.g5 hxg5 24.hxg5 Nh7 25.f4! Ra5? 25...exf4 26.Rd5! Nf8 27.Nxf4 Kg7 26.Rd5 f6 27.Rxh7! Kxh7 28.gxf6 exf4 29.e5 Kh6 30.Nxf4 Bxe5 31.Rxe5 Rxd7 32.Bxd7 Rxe5 33.f7 1–0
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Kramnik,V | 2590 | Nunn,J | 2615 | 1–0 | 1992 | E81 | Olympiad-30 | 14.4 |
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Eight years later Kramnik was World Champion. In 2000 he won the World Championship match against his former supporter Garry Kasparov in London to become the 14. World Champion in history of chess, and the first and only human player who managed to beat Kasparov in match.
However, Kramnik's perhaps most spectacular win against Kasparov was played four years before their match, at the tournament in Dos Hermanas 1996.
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1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.Nf3 e6 5.e3 Nbd7 6.Bd3 dxc4 7.Bxc4 b5 8.Bd3 Bb7 9.0-0 a6 10.e4 c5 11.d5 c4 12.Bc2 Qc7 13.Nd4 Nc5 14.b4 cxb3 15.axb3 b4 16.Na4 Ncxe4 17.Bxe4 Nxe4 18.dxe6 Bd6 19.exf7+ Qxf7 20.f3 Qh5 21.g3 0-0!? 22.fxe4 Qh3 23.Nf3? Bxg3 24.Nc5? 24.hxg3? Qxg3+ 25.Kh1 Bxe4-+ 24.Ra2!? Bxe4 25.hxg3 Rad8 26.Qe1 Rxf3 27.Rxf3 Bxf3 28.Rh2 Qg4 29.Rd2∞ 24.Qe2!? Rxf3 25.Rxf3 Bxh2+ 26.Qxh2 Qxf3 27.Qg2 Qxg2+ 27...Qd1+ 28.Kh2= 27...Qxb3?! 28.Bh6 28.Kxg2 Bxe4+ 29.Kg1 24...Rxf3! 25.Rxf3? 25.Ra2! Rxf1+ 26.Qxf1 Qxf1+ 27.Kxf1 Rc8 28.Be3 Bf4! 29.Nxb7 Bxe3 30.Rxa6 Bf4 25...Qxh2+ 26.Kf1 Bc6! 26...Qh1+ 27.Ke2 Qh2+ 28.Ke3 Qh6+ 29.Kd3? 29.Ke2 Qh2+= 29...Qd6+ 30.Ke2 Qxc5 31.Rxg3 Qh5+ 32.Ke1 32.Rf3 Bxe4 32...Qe5-+ 27.Bg5 27.Be3 Bb5+ 28.Nd3 Rd8 29.Bg1 Qh3+ 30.Ke2 Qg2+ 31.Bf2 Bxf2 32.Rxf2 Qxe4+-+ 27.Qd3 Qh1+ 28.Ke2 Qe1# 27.Ra5!? Bc7 28.Qd4!? 28.Ra1 Qh1+ 29.Ke2 Qg2+ 30.Ke3 Qg5+ 31.Kf2 Qxc5+-+ 28...Bxa5 29.Bb2 Qh6 29...Bb5+ 30.Nd3 Bxd3+ 31.Qxd3 Qh1+ 32.Kf2 Bb6+ 33.Kg3 30.Rg3 Ra7 31.Ne6 Rf7+ 32.Kg1 Qxe6 33.Rxg7+ Kf8 34.Qc5+ Ke8 35.Rg8+ Kd7 36.Qxa5 Qxe4 37.Qd8+ Ke6 38.Qc8+ Kd6 39.Qb8+ Rc7 40.Qf8+ Re7 41.Qb8+ Kc5 42.Rg5+ Bd5 43.Qc8+ Kb6 44.Qb8+ Bb7 45.Qd6+ Bc6 46.Bd4+ Kb7 47.Qxb4+ Kc8 48.Rg8+ Kd7 27...Bb5+ 27...Qh1+? 28.Ke2 Qg2+ 29.Ke3 28.Nd3 Re8! 29.Ra2 29.Be3 Rd8-+ 29.Qd2 Qh1+ 30.Ke2 Rxe4+ 31.Re3 Qh5+ 32.Kf1 Qxg5-+ 29.Rc1 Qh1+ 30.Ke2 Rxe4+ 31.Kd2 Qg2+-+ 29.Rb1 Rxe4 30.Rf8+ Kxf8 31.Qf3+ Kg8 32.Qxe4 Qf2# 29...Qh1+?! 29...Bxd3+! 30.Rxd3 30.Qxd3 Qh1+ 31.Ke2 Qe1# 30...Qh1+ 31.Ke2 Qg2+ 32.Ke3 Rxe4# 30.Ke2 Rxe4+ 30...Bxd3+? 31.Kd2! 31.Kd2 31.Be3 Qg2+ 32.Rf2 Qxf2# 31...Qg2+ 32.Kc1 32.Nf2 Rd4+ 32...Qxa2 33.Rxg3 33.Rf8+ Kxf8 34.Qf3+ Bf4+ 35.Bxf4 Qa1+ 36.Kd2 Qc3+-+ 33...Qa1+ 34.Kc2 Qc3+ 35.Kb1 Rd4 35...Rd4 36.Bf6 Bxd3+ 37.Ka2 Bb1+ 38.Qxb1 Rd2+ 0–1 - Start an analysis engine:
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Kasparov,G | 2775 | Kramnik,V | 2775 | 0–1 | 1996 | D48 | Dos Hermanas | 6 |
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It was thanks to Kramnik that the split between world championships which had begun in 1993 was brought to an end. Kramnik defended his title in 2004 against Peter Leko and in the reunification match in 2006 he defeated Veselin Topalov. In 2007 Kramnik lost the title to Viswanathan Anand at the world championship tournament in Mexico and was also defeated by the Indian in 2008 in the return match. Even after losing the title of world champion Vladimir Kramnik has continued to remain among the absolute elite of players in the world – till the present day.
He also continued to play spectacular games, e.g. the following win against Levon Aronian at the Candidates Tournament 2018 in Berlin.
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1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 Nf6 4.d3 Bc5 5.Bxc6 dxc6 6.0-0 Qe7 7.h3 Rg8! 8.Kh1 Nh5!? 8...h6 9.Nbd2 g5 10.Nc4 g4 11.Nfxe5 h5 12.d4 Bd6 13.Re1 gxh3 9.c3?! 9.Nh2 g6 9.Nc3 g5 10.Nxe5 g4 11.d4 Bd6 12.g3 Bxe5 13.dxe5 Qxe5 14.h4 Bd7 9...g5 10.Nxe5 10.d4 exd4 10...g4!? 11.hxg4 Bxg4 12.dxc5 Qf6 11.cxd4 Bb6 12.Nh2 Nf6 13.e5 Nd5 10...g4 11.d4 11.hxg4 Qh4+ 12.Kg1 Ng3 11...Bd6 12.g3 Bxe5 12...Be6! 13.hxg4? Bxe5 13.dxe5 Qxe5 14.Qd4 14.Kh2 14.h4 Be6 15.Kh2 Qxe4 14...Qe7!? 14...Qxd4 15.cxd4 gxh3 16.Kh2 Be6 15.h4 c5 16.Qc4? 16.Qd5 Nf6 16.Qd3 Bd7 17.c4 0-0-0 18.Nc3 Rge8 19.Re1 Bc6 20.Nd5 Bxd5 20...Qe5 21.Kg2 f5 21...b6 21...Rd7 22.Bg5 21.cxd5 Nf6 22.Bg5 Nxe4!? 23.Kg1! f6 24.Bf4 24.Bxf6 Qxf6 25.Rxe4 Qf5 26.Rae1 h5 16...Be6 17.Qb5+ c6 18.Qa4 18.Qe2 f5 19.Bg5 Rxg5 20.hxg5 f4 18.Qd3 Rd8 19.Qe3 19.Qe2 f5 19...Bc4 20.Rg1 20.Re1 Rd3 21.Qh6 Qe5 20...Rg6 21.Qe1 Bd3 18...f5! 19.Bg5 19.exf5 Nxg3+! 20.fxg3 Bd5+ 21.Kg1 Qe2 22.Rf2 Qe1+ 19...Rxg5 20.hxg5 f4 21.Qd1 Rd8 22.Qc1 fxg3 23.Na3 Rd3! 24.Rd1 Bd5! 24...Rxd1+ 25.Qxd1 gxf2 25.f3 25.exd5 Qe4+ 26.Kg1 gxf2+ 25...gxf3 26.exd5 26.Rxd3 Qxe4! 27.Re3 f2+ 28.Rxe4+ Bxe4# 26...Qe2 27.Re1 27.Qc2 g2+ 28.Kh2 g1Q+ 29.Kxg1 f2+ 30.Kh2 Rh3+! 31.Kxh3 Qf3+ 32.Kh4 Qg3+ 33.Kxh5 Qh3# 27...g2+ 27...g2+ 28.Kh2 28.Kg1 f2+ 29.Kxg2 29.Kh2 g1Q+ 30.Rxg1 f1Q+ 29...f1Q# 28...g1Q+ 29.Kxg1 f2+ 30.Kh1 Rh3+ 31.Kg2 f1Q# 0–1
- Start an analysis engine:
- Try maximizing the board:
- Use the four cursor keys to replay the game. Make moves to analyse yourself.
- Press Ctrl-B to rotate the board.
- Drag the split bars between window panes.
- Download&Clip PGN/GIF/FEN/QR Codes. Share the game.
- Games viewed here will automatically be stored in your cloud clipboard (if you are logged in). Use the cloud clipboard also in ChessBase.
- Create an account to access the games cloud.
Aronian,L | 2794 | Kramnik,V | 2800 | 0–1 | 2018 | C65 | Candidates Tournament | 3 |
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With his deep understanding of chess Vladimir Kramnik is considered one of the greatest masters of strategy in the history of the game. His flawless technique has enabled him to bring to a successful conclusion innumerable encounters in the endgame. In the realm of opening theory too Kramnik is one of the leading players. In addition to many other contributions, he has decisively shaped the theory of the Berlin Defence to the Ruy Lopez and that of the Catalan Opening with many original ideas.
This DVD allows you to learn from the example of one of the best players in the history of chess and from the explanations of the authors (Yannick Pelletier, Mihail Marin, Karsten Müller and Oliver Reeh) how to successfully organise your games strategically, consequently how to keep your opponent permanently under pressure and how to bring your games to a successful conclusion with accurate technical endgame play. Through Vladimir Kramnik’s games it is possible, moreover, to follow the history and development of numerous popular openings and thus obtain a better understanding of the ideas behind them.

Master Class Vol.11: Vladimir Kramnik by Dr. Karsten Müller, Mihail Marin, Oliver Reeh, Yannick Pelletier
• Video running time: 9 h 36 min (English)
• All Kramnik’s games, and short biography
• Kramnik Powerbook: The opening repertoire of the 14th world champion as a variation tree
• Tactics training with 121 Kramnik games: 399 training questions, max. 835 points
• With ChessBase Reader 2017
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