Tiebreak in Elista

Rapid and possibly blitz games will decide today who's the strongest chess player in the world. A necessary evil, because the common rule in world championship matches is not very handy this time: that the ruling world champion would stay on his throne when the match ended with an equal score.

The tiebreak begins, just like all the regular games, at 13.00 hrs CEST and can be followed here. The rules are as follows.

First four rapid games will be played. Each player will have 25 minutes plus ten seconds a move on the clock. After that, if necessary, two blitz games will be played (with five minutes plus ten seconds increment for each player). If the score is still even, the way the match will be decided is even more questionable: with a sudden death game. White will have six minutes on the clock, Black five, without increment. (A drawing of lots will decide the colours.) When this game ends in a draw, Black will be the new world champion. If the match is still not decided, a new reunification match will start right afterwards where the Appeals Committee and the arbiter will be replaced by lawyers and a judge.

Whatever may happen, we won't miss it!