★★★ INTRO ★★★

The 2000 Classical Chess Championship was between 25 year old challenger Vladimir Kramnik of Russia and 37 year old defending champion Garry Kasparov also of Russia.

★★★ QUALIFICATION ★★★

In 1996, the PCA had folded after Kasparov played a match against Deep Blue (Computer). Since Kasparov was unable to organize qualifying tournaments. It had been years since Kasparov last defended his title, so asked the top 2 players in the world according to rating (excluding himself), Viswanathan Anand and Vladimir Kramnik, to play a candidates match. Anand refused, so Kasparov asked the next top player in the world, Alexey Shirov to play a match against Kramnik. Shirov won 5 1/2-3 1/2 in the best of 10 (see Shirov - Kramnik WCC Candidates Match (1998) for games and more info).

However, Shirov was unable to sponsor a match, and after Anand couldn't sponsor either, it was Kramnik who would Kasparov's challenger.

★★★ CONDITIONS ★★★

The match would be a best of 16, with the first to 8 1/2 points being the winner. If it were tied 8-8, Kasparov would retain his title. Game 1 was played on October 8th, 2000.

★★★ NOTABLE GAMES ★★★

Game 2: Kramnik vs Kasparov, 2000

Game 4: Kramnik vs Kasparov, 2000

Game 10: Kramnik vs Kasparov, 2000

★★★ FINAL ★★★

The last game (15) was played on November 4th, 2000. Entering the round, Kramnik had an 8-6 lead and needed just a draw in the last 2 games to end Kasparov's 15 year reign.

Game 15: Kasparov vs Kramnik, 2000

With the draw, Kramnik had dethroned Kasparov 8 1/2-6 1/2.

★★★ MINI TABLE ★★★

Kramnik 1/2 1 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 (2 wins, 0 losses and 12 draws) <57.1% score>

Kasparov 1/2 0 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 0 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 1/2 (0 wins, 2 losses and 12 draws) <42.9% score>

★★★ OTHER LINKS ★★★

See also: Kasparov - Kramnik Classical World Championship Match (2000)

Head to Head Record Prior to 2000: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/ches... (16 wins, 15 losses and 40 draws in favour of Kasparov)

Previous Classical Championship: Game Collection: 1995 Classical World Chess Championship

Next Classical Championship: Game Collection: 2004 Classical World Chess Championship

Previous FIDE Championship: Game Collection: 1999 FIDE World Chess Championship

Next FIDE Championship: Game Collection: 2000 FIDE World Chess Championship