For the last several years, Vladimir Kramnik tried to make sure he did not lose games. It was a perfect style for the world chess championship matches and for his duels against chess computers, but it was not good enough to win major tournaments. After playing listlessly and losing the match for the world title to Anand last year, Kramnik decided to play more sharply. It paid big dividends. In July, Kramnik won in Dortmund, Germany, and this month, he was victorious at the Tal Memorial in Moscow. He finished ahead of Carlsen in both chess events. Their rivalry will continue next month in London. Kramnik considered the Grunfeld Indian duel against his countryman Peter Svidler ...

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