Draw in the Fifth Match - Deep Fritz Still One Point Ahead

Prior to the final match in World Chess Challenge 2006, chess computer Deep Fritz (Germany) remains one point ahead of World Champion Vladimir Kramnik (Russia). Today's fifth match in the sold-out Federal Art Hall in Bonn ended in a tie after three-and-a-half hours and 35 moves. That leaves Kramnik with one more chance to win a game and catch up with the world's leading chess computer - in the final match to be held this Tuesday at 3 p.m. Kramnik played white for the third time in today's match, opening again with 1.d4. Deep Fritz responded with the Nimzoindian Defense. The two opponents swept through the opening - Kramnik emerged with a slight advantage over the computer. The 31-year-old World Champion seized the initiative with a pair of bishops. After a piece exchange, Kramnik's two rooks and bishop faced off against Deep Fritz's two rooks and knight. Once again, the bishop was pitted against the knight. Confronted with a position of great tactical complexity, Kramnik had to consider his options carefully - especially when it came to the black knight in the center of the board. In the end, Deep Fritz ended the game with a draw through position repetition. The audience exploded with applause following the exciting match.

"This turned into an extremely complicated match with a very delicate tactical position - one that harbored huge risks for both sides. I think that both of the opponents played extremely well today," said Vladimir Kramnik in the
post-match press conference.

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Result:
Match 5, Dec. 03, 2006: Vladimir Kramnik (Russia) - Deep Fritz (Germany)
Score: Kramnik - Deep Fritz 2.0:3.0 points
Notation, 5th match; Kramnik - Deep Fritz:
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. Nf3 d5 4. Nc3 Bb4 5. e3 O-O 6. a3 Bxc3+ 7. bxc3 c5 8. Bb2 Nc6 9. Rc1 Re8 10. Bd3 dxc4 11. Bxc4 e5 12. dxe5 Qxd1+ 13. Rxd1 Nxe5 14. Nxe5 Rxe5 15. Be2 Bd7 16. c4 Re7 17. h4 Ne4 18. h5 Ba4 19. Rd3 b5 20. cxb5 Bxb5 21. Rd1 Bxe2 22. Kxe2 Rb8 23. Ba1 f5 24. Rd5 Rb3 25. Rxf5 Rxa3 26. Rb1 Re8 27. Rf4 Ra2+ 28. Ke1 h6 29. Rg4 g5 30. hxg6 Nxf2 31. Rh4 Rf8 32. Kf1 Nh3+ 33. Ke1 Nf2 34. Kf1 Nh3+ 35. Ke1 1/2-1/2