FIDE President Kirsan Ilymzhinov with FIDE Champion Veselin Topalov (left) and Classical Champion Vladimir Kramnik (right). Ilyumzhinov’s executive assistant stands in the background.

FIDE President Kirsan Ilymzhinov with FIDE Champion Veselin Topalov (left) and Classical Champion Vladimir Kramnik (right). Ilyumzhinov's executive assistant stands in the background. Photo by ChessBase.com

The long-awaited unification match has been in the making for the past  six years and finally two contenders will fight for the world crown and in the end one champion will emerge victorious. Bulgarian Grandmaster Veselin Topalov will pawn off against Russia's Vladimir Kramnik after many trials, tribulations and controversy. The World Chess Championship match will begin today and will be covered live at the Internet Chess Club and ChessBase's playchess.com server. For the latter, you will be charged a modest fee to see listen to audio commentary by GM Yasser Seirawan. The Chess Drum will also provide limited coverage and commentary.

Official Site (FIDE)
ChessBase.com (reports, photos, games)
This Week in Chess (reports, games)
Daily Dirt (blog) GM Susan Polgar (blog)
The Chess Drum (reports, games)

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Posted by The Chess Drum: 23 September 2006