9/25/2004
It was 4 years ago that Vladimir Kramnik made
chess immortality, by decisively defeating Garry Kasparov. Now it's Kramnik’s turn to defend his title against Peter
Leko. It’s a match on several levels. It’s between Champion vs.
Challenger, artist vs. sportsman, skipper vs. skipper, and Kramnik vs.
Leko.
The 14th
World Champion Vladimir Kramnik has assembled an experience and talented
dream team. Both Kramnik and Leko are experienced skippers. Both will set
sail in a race for chess immortality. However Peter Leko and his crew are
headed into uncharted waters. The
seas will get rough. Navigation will be difficult. Many a fine ship have
been lost. All the intense training and preparation in the world can’t
make up for the unknown. Kramnik’s ship set sail last November at
Cap D'adge. His ship has been steadily picking up steam and gaining
momentum. Captain Kramnik has charted these waters before. He has all the
navigational tools to guide his ship. He also has a beacon, the 9th
pawn, to help guide his way. I
expect Captain Kramnik and his dream team to gain a 3 knot lead and bring
his ship safely into harbor
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