Garry Kasparov vs Vladimir Kramnik, Kosmos m 5', R1

Game 1 of the 1998 Kosmos blitz match between Kasparov and Kramnik (November 27) was a draw. The opening encounter of the 28-game blitz match set the tone for the close contest that followed. Both players had prepared specifically for the Kosmos match; the first game showed how thoroughly each had studied the other.

The draw was a Spanish Opening played carefully by both sides. Kasparov as White built small positional pressure; Kramnik defended with the precision that would characterise his entire match performance. The endgame was balanced and the draw was accepted in 40 moves.

The Kosmos blitz match’s structure — 28 games over multiple days — allowed for tactical learning between games. Each player’s preparation evolved through the match; openings that worked early were modified by the second half; defensive patterns that held were repeated; failing patterns were abandoned. The result was a highly-played match by both sides.

The match score of 14.5-13.5 for Kasparov was the closest blitz- match result he had achieved against any opponent that year. Anand had lost to him 6.5-3.5 in their own blitz exhibition earlier; Topalov and Shirov had similar margins. Kramnik’s near-tie of the Kosmos was a unique result and signalled his place as Kasparov’s strongest contemporary challenger.

Game record

This game between Kasparov, Garry and Kramnik, Vladimir was played at the Kosmos m 5’ in Moscow in 1998. Played in round 1. At the time of the game, the players were rated 2815 (White) and 2780 (Black). The game lasted 45 moves, ending with a drawn outcome. It is part of the late-Soviet and Cold-War chess era.

Opening context

The opening sequence runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4, after which the players entered the middlegame proper.

See also

For more on this game’s protagonists and theory, see Kasparov, Garry and Kramnik, Vladimir.