TOPALOV WINS GAME 8, MATCH TIED 4-4 WITH 4 GAMES REMAINING

Bulgaria's Veselin Topalov, the FIDE World Champion, knocked off Classical World Champion Vladimir Kramnik of Russia in Game 8 with the black pieces. It was Topalov's first over-the-board victory in the match, and for the first time was able to convert an advantageous position.

The game was a complicated struggle from the beginning. In the endgame, an interesting material balance was present: Topalov had Rook, two Knights, and four pawns, against Kramnik's two Rooks, and five pawns. While the "count" here is even, Topalov's two knights had loads of dynamic potential, and he forced Kramnik to resign on move 52 after 4 and-a-half hours with mate on the way.

The Match is now tied 4-4 with 4 games remaining. If the match is tied 6-6 after 12 games, there will be a series of Rapid tiebreakers, then Blitz tiebreakers if necessary, and if STILL tied, the two players will play one "armageddon" game for the title.

Friday is a rest day. Game 9 is Saturday at 7am Eastern Time.

To view the game from ChessBase, click here.