Chess

Grandmasters Vladimir Kramnik and Alexei Shirov drew the first game of their match in Cazorle, Spain, that determines which of the two will play a million-dollar match against Garry Kasparov in October. The status of the contest, however, is considerably diminished by the decision of the world No 2, Viswanathan Anand, to compete in a "world championship" that has not been sanctioned by the International Chess Federation.

In the opening game, a draw was agreed when both men decided that White's bind on the position balanced Black's extra pawn.

White: Vladimir Kramnik

Black: Alexei Shirov

Game One: Grunfeld Defence

1 d4 Nf6 14 Rc1 Bxa2

2 c4 g6 15 Qa4 Bb3

3 Nc3 d5 16 Qb4 b6

4 cxd5 Nxd5 17 Bg5 f6

5 e4 Nxc3 18 Bf4 e5

6 bxc3 Bg7 19 Be3 exd4

7 Bc4 0-0 20 Nxd4 Bf7

8 Ne2 c5 21 Ba6 Re8

9 0-0 Nc6 22 Rfd1 Qe7

10 Be3 Bg4 23 Qxe7 Rxe7

11 f3 Na5 24 Nc6 Nxc6

12 Bd3 cxd4 25 Rxc6

13 cxd4 Be6 draw agreed