The Zurich Chess Challenge started with a decisive result in the first game of the 6-game match.
Despite having more match experience and moving first, Vladimir Kramnik suffered a rare loss with the white pieces.
World #2 Aronian won the theoretical battle in the opening, surprising his opponent with 16...Qe6 after which Kramnik fell into deep thought and well behind on the clock.
The Armenian played accurately to gradually increase his advantage, and when Kramnik faltered as the time control arrived allowing 40...g5, the game was over after just one more move.
.
| Name |
Nat |
Elo |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
Pts |
| Levon Aronian |
ARM |
2820 |
1 |
. |
. |
. |
. |
. |
1 |
| Vladimir Kramnik |
RUS |
2801 |
0 |
. |
. |
. |
. |
. |
0 |
.