If the first few years of the third Millennium weren’t so kind for the Grandmaster from Moscow, came 2006 and more than made up for it! Slowly learning to cope with rheumatoid arthritis, and after a very mediocre Super Finals of the Russian championship to close 2005, Vladimir returned in mid-06 with a great performance in the Turin Olympiad (6.5/9 versus world class opposition). Encouraged by this return to form, he followed up with a shared victory (4.5/7, with Svidler) in Dortmund. His ELO, which from a 2811 high went down to 2729, jumped back up to 2750, with more to come.

After some rest and preparation came the World Championship reunification match. At the end of the ordeal, Kramnik certainly came out carrying all the loot: As the match winner he is now the undisputed World Champion, with the privileges and potential benefits that come with the title. Additionally, he earned the overwhelming support of his fellow colleagues for his demeanor and behavior during the match.

Corus 07 will be the first opportunity for the champ to meet his rival over the board again – an event that is eagerly anticipated.