R-7 KRAMNIK - NAKAMURA   ½ - ½

Kramnik risked as much as he could during the last round game as Black against Nakamura, but after mutual complications the game ended in a draw by move repetition.

Magnus Carlsen was slightly better against Short, however he did not play well in the ending and had to content himself with a difficult draw.

It was a great tournament for both Carlsen and kramnik, who showed that they are currently in top form.

R-6 KRAMNIK BEATS SHORT

Kramnik won an important game against Short after 38 moves of a Queen´s Gambit Declined.

The opening was very complicated as both grandmasters played uncompromise Chess. Kramnik won a pack but it seemed far from clear, since Short kept playing the most active moves in an unnusual middle game where both kings were on the queenside.

Kramnik took a second pawn on move 25th keeping a secure position for his king. The rest was easier.

R-5 HOWELL - KRAMNIK  ½ - ½

Hard fought game! They followed a very sharp line of the Petrov, where Kramnik went for an early attack on the kingside but his opponent played very well to neutralize all threats.

The draw was agreed after 53 moves.

Magnus Carlsen defeated Ni Hua as Black so he is now one full point ahead of Kramnik.

R-4 KRAMNIK - ADAMS  ½ - ½

The English grandmaster cleverly neutralised the ex-world champion’s pressure and then gave up a pawn to reach a sterile opposite-coloured bishops endgame.

Magnus Carlsen drew his game against Nakamura to keep his half point advantage over Kramnik.

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R-3 KRAMNIK BEATS MCSHANE

Kramnik won his second game in a row against Luke McShane in the third round. It was a King's Pawn, Bishop Opening that mostly transposed into an Italian game. Kramnik as Black played convincingly, putting an early pressure on the center and kingside until he finally force resignation on move 36th.

After Carlsen's failure to convert a won endgame, Kramnik is now very close, at only one point distance from him.

Friday is a free day. On Saturday Kramnik plays White against Michael Adams.

R-2 KRAMNIK WINS AGAINST NI HUA

Kramnik won a nice game against chinese GM Ni Hua in the second round of the strong London Classic event. The outcome came after 48 moves of a Slav Defence.

Kramnik as White played played the opening very energetically. As a result, he soon got a pressure on his opponent's position, which he gradually increased until the very end.

R-1 KRAMNIK LOSES TO CARLSEN

Vladimir Kramnik lost his first game in London against Magnus Carlsen. It was a very good game when both grandmasters played very well until the final moves, when Kramnik made a few small mistakes and Carlsen took advantage of them. According to the official website, Carlsen’s win against Kramnik must rank as one of the highest quality games ever played in this country.

LONDON HAS STARTED!