Is this a match for the world championship?
Yes. No. There are nearly as many answers to this question as there are people willing to answer it. The most compelling argument for "Yes" is that Garry Kasparov is demonstrably the strongest player in the world. If he says that he is willing to relinquish this status to the person or thing that beats him in a match, then that event reasonably has the status of a world championship match.
The usual rationale for "No" is that Kasparov has long ago turned his back on the world organization FIDE (International Chess Federation) and its tradition of running a serious elimination cycle to determine a legitimate challenger, and placed himself above this system and now hand picks his opponents.
The reason the "No" side has been weakened is FIDE's decision to replace this traditional process with an annual event where a champion emerges from putting hundreds of people in a room and dropping money on them from the ceiling, and seeing who wins the ensuing fight.
Who is Garry Kasparov?
The strongest player in the world, and the strongest player of all time. Yes, these might be debatable statements, but there is plenty of evidence to back them up, and it's my FAQ. FIDE rating - 2849 (July 1, 2000)
Who is Vladimir Kramnik?
He is currently the second highest rated player in the world, and a very talented young man. FIDE rating - 2770 (July 1, 2000)
Is Kramnik the legitimate challenger for a title match?
Yes. No. While he may currently be ranked number two, Kasparov's previous challenger, Indian whirlwind Vishwanathan Anand, has usually enjoyed this status. When Kasparov previously announced a title match, Kramnik faced Alexei Shirov in a challenger's match after Anand declined. Shirov won.
This would appear to make Shirov what would normally be called the legitimate challenger, but a match has never materialized for him, Kasparov calling such a contest lacking in commercial interest. Shirov recently decided to call this "damage" and has now sued Kasparov and the organization which was in charge of this "cycle".
Anand did creditably in his match with Kasparov in 1995 and has improved since, though he has not fared quite so well head-to-head against Kasparov.
Kramnik's strongest claim to be the legitimate challenger now is that he is the player with the best record against Kasparov. If one can entertain the idea that this means he is the man most likely to beat the world's strongest player, which seems plausible, then this makes him a sensible challenger.
Is Kramnik the second best player in the world?
Yes. No. See the previous question. Personally, I find Anand's career results more impressive and can't help thinking that if Kasparov were hit by a bus tomorrow that Anand would emerge as the top player since he seems most capable of dominating everyone that was left.
People with big respect for numbers and invincibility will point at Kramnik's rating and his recent year and a half without a loss and rest their case.
Why will he win the match?
First and foremost because he is the stronger player. He has vast experience in matches and under absolute pressure. Perhaps most importantly, he always comes to a match armed with a large arsenal of deadly analysis, which often spans the opening into what most people consider to be the endgame. He also tends to have at least one entirely new opening system which tends to negate much of his opponent's preparations for the event.
Kramnik will be very fortunate indeed not to step on a live mine at least once in the course of the match. If he can shrug off the damage that such a misstep does without shedding another point or so in shock that will be very impressive. The chances of this deciding the contest even if they are perfectly matched are very high. And I don't think they are quite perfectly matched.
Who are you?
Grandmaster Jonathan Tisdall, reporter of world championship matches since 1981. Have watched a frighteningly high number of Karpov and Kasparov title games.
