<Levitov: Could you say something about the opening?

Aronian: Unfortunately my other games were more interesting (smiles), as I see it. But the sporting component is also a factor. Generally, we’ve played quite a rare variation. Vladimir played a move I don’t know very well. It seemed to me that with the move 16.Ne4 I started to play more carefully, but Vladimir played Qg6 and… for now I’m happy. It seems to me that at this point I’ve managed to achieve something. But as the previous games showed, my feelings might be deceiving me a little.

Levitov: What are your immediate plans now?

Aronian: In principle play’s very concrete here. If Vladimir manages to develop then he can’t possibly have any problems. My plan’s to keep the queens on and to worry his queen on g6. Ideally I’d maybe put my rook on g3, and try and stop him developing his bishop to a comfortable position.

Levitov: You evaluate the position as slightly better?

Aronian: In any case I'm not at any great risk.

And then Kramnik:

Levitov: Could you say something about the opening?

Kramnik: We played a variation of the English Opening that was popular in the 80s but is now half-forgotten. White maintains some pressure. Usually he gets to keep a couple more pieces while I managed to exchange a knight for his bishop using an accurate move order, which is good, overall. But still, White maintains some pressure. Black needs to play accurately to completely equalise. Now, at this moment, I’m inclined to play 18…Bf5 and commence very concrete play, because I’m threatening to exchange the bishop for the knight when it’ll definitely be drawn. So, more likely than not, the knight will retreat. But there are some very sharp variations there. It could start, let’s say, with 19.Ng3, and the principled move is 19…Bd3 to try and take the pawn, though White can play 20.Qe5 there, and for example, 20…Bxc4 21.Nf5 and jump around like that. On the other hand, there’s 21…Kh8. For now it seems to me that Black holds there. It’s a little dangerous, but on the other hand I might be able to seize the initiative if White’s play dies down. For now I’m inclined towards 18…Bf5 but of course in principle you can play some calmer move, 18…b6 or 18…Bd7. There’s nothing terrible for Black. I still prefer 18…Bf5 but I’ll think about it a bit.

Levitov: And how do you evaluate the position?

Kramnik: It’s a little bit better for…

Here Aronian indicates that he can hear!

Kramnik (loudly): Black’s got a big edge! (laughter and applause)>