Chess

Garry Kasparov's place at the top of the world rankings, a position he has held for the past 12 years, must be under threat after his defeat by Vladimir Kramnik in the sixth round of the Dos Hermanas tournament in Seville. Kramnik is currently ranked equal with Kasparov, but the manner of his victory suggests that he may be poised to overtake.

Sacrificing a piece in the opening, then increasing his investment to a whole rook, Kramnik played an astonishing attacking game. The only blemish in the diagram position after White's 29.Ra2 when he missed the simple 29...Bxd3+ 30.Rxd3 (or 30.Qxd3 Qh1+ 31.Ke2 Qe1 mate) 30...Qh1+ 31.Ke2 Qg2+ 32.Ke3 Rxe4 mate.

The most impressive moves in the game are 22...Qh3! and 28...Re8! both quietly adding fuel to the attack after heavy sacrifices. Even if subsequent analysis reveals a defence for White, this must be one of the most remarkable games of the past few years.

White: Garry Kasparov

Black: Vladimir Kramnik

1 d4 d5 19 exf7+ Qxf7

2 c4 c6 20 f3 Qh5

3 Nc3 Nf6 21 g3 0-0

4 Nf3 e6 22 fxe4 Qh3

5 e3 Nbd7 23 Nf3 Bxg3

6 Bd3 dxc4 24 Nc5 Rxf3

7 Bxc4 b5 25 Rxf3 Qxh2+

8 Bd3 Bb7 26 Kf1 Bc6

9 0-0 a6 27 Bg5 Bb5+

10 e4 c5 28 Nd3 Re8

11 d5 c4 29 Ra2 Qh1+

12 Bc2 Qc7 30 Ke2 Rxe4+

13 Nd4 Nc5 31 Kd2 Qg2+

14 b4 cxb3 32 Kc1 Qxa2

15 axb3 b4 33 Rxg3 Qa1+

16 Na4 Ncxe4 34 Kc2 Qc3+

17 Bxe4 Nxe4 35 Kb1 Rd4

18 dxe6 Bd6 White resigns