Game 12 saw the final game of the scheduled match. Vladimir Kramnik had one final chance with the white pieces to try and extract a win and avoid the tie-breaks.

Veselin Topalov used a standard piece of match psychology, use your opponents opening idea if you can't bust it yourself. With 13...f5 the were playing a similar position to that which they had earlier in the match except with reverse colours. The game settled into a standard minority attack on the queenside with kingside counterplay for black. These positions are very common and extremely well understood by the Grandmasters.

Both sides got on with their play with both players understanding that Topalov would eventually break off from defending the queenside and operate his kingside attack. With some accurate moves on both sides it became clear that one side or another would give perpetual check. Topalov kept the game going as long as he could giving Kramnik the chance to go wrong. When that didn't happen he simply sacrificed his rook to obtain perpetual check.

So the players head for the dreaded rapid and blitz playoffs. Kramnik has a better lifetime record but you have to think that Topalov would be in better physical shape to play this section of the event.

I could only find two world title matches without a single instance of 1.e4, they were Botvinnik - Petrosian 1963 and Alekhine - Euwe 1937.

Notes by IM Malcolm Pein

Annotated Game 12 in PGN

Kramnik,V (2743) - Topalov,V (2813)
WCh Elista RUS (12), 12.10.2006
[IM Malcolm Pein]

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3 Bf5 5.Nc3 e6 6.Nh4 Bg6 7.Nxg6 hxg6 Unexpected but a back handed compliment to Kramnik. Topalov uses his opening line. Its solid and so it suits for thisgame 8.g3 Nbd7 9.Bd2 Bb4 10.Qb3 Bxc3 11.Bxc3 Ne4 12.Bg2 Nxc3 13.Qxc3 f5 Like in the Stonewall the white squared pawns act as a barrier against the white bishop. Black must be slightly worse and it feels like the players have swopped roles [13...dxc4 14.Qxc4 Qa5+ 15.Qc3+/=] 14.0-0 [14.0-0-0!? Fritz, would never have occurred to me] 14...Qe7 15.cxd5 Kramnik opts for clarity and the plan of a minority attack on the queenside 15...exd5 16.b4 Nf6 17.Rfc1 [17.b5 cxb5 18.Qb3 Qd7 19.Rfc1 Actually look quite good as d5 is very weak because of Rc1-c5 and a2-a4 might be good later. However its too risky for the circumstances 19...a6 20.Rc2 0-0 21.Rac1©] 17...Ne4 18.Qb2 0-0 19.b5 Rac8 20.bxc6 bxc6 21.Qe2

Nice move with many points. Black's only counterplay is pawn g5 and then pawn f4. The possible pin on the e file after f4 exf4 holds this up. Also Qa6 is a plan now 21...g5 22.Rab1 Qd7 [22...Nd6 23.Rxc6 Rxc6 24.Bxd5+] 23.Rc2 Rf6 Black can probably defend this position because he only has one weakness 24.Rbc1 [24.Qa6 g4 25.Rb7 Rc7 26.Rcb2 Nd6 Defends] 24...g4 25.Rb2 Rh6 26.Qa6 Rc7 27.Rb8+ Kh7 28.Qa3 Threat Qf8 but Black's resources are adequate 28...Rb7 29.Qf8 [29.Ra8!?] 29...Rxb8 30.Qxb8 Qf7 31.Qc8 Qh5 32.Kf1 Nd2+ 33.Ke1 Nc4 34.Bf1 Black needs to defend f5 before taking on h2 [34.Rxc4 dxc4 35.Bxc6 Rf6 36.Bd5 Qxh2 37.Ke2 also leads to a draw] 34...Rf6 35.Bxc4 dxc4 36.Rxc4 Qxh2 37.Ke2 [37.Rxc6?? Qh1+ 38.Ke2 Qxc6] 37...Qh1 38.Rc5 Qb1 39.Qa6 Qb2+ 40.Kf1 Qb1+ 41.Ke2 Qb2+ 42.Kf1 Rh6 As ever Topalov tries all possible routes to win. Qd3 is forced now when Black can win a pawn but a rook and pawn ending with a7 and c6 weak is a draw 43.Qd3 g6 now Qc4 or Qb3 keep it level Qd3 g6 [43...Qa1+ 44.Ke2 Qxa2+ 45.Qc2 Qxc2+ 46.Rxc2 Rf6 47.Ra2 Rf7 48.Ra6 Rc7 49.Kd3 and the idea of e4 undermining g4 is one way to draw] 44.Qb3 Rh1+ 45.Kg2 Rh2+ 46.Kxh2 Qxf2+ 47.Kh1 Qf1+ 1/2-1/2