World Championship 2006: Kramnik – Topalov
After thirteen years of a divided crown, the classical champion Kramnik and the FIDE champion Topalov met to make one title again. The chess was overshadowed by "Toiletgate," a bitter cheating row that cost Kramnik a forfeit — but he held level and took the tiebreak to become the first undisputed champion since 1993.
◈Healing the schism
The world title had been split since 1993, when Kasparov and Nigel Short broke away from FIDE to play their match outside its auspices. Kramnik carried the classical lineage descended from that split; Topalov held the FIDE title. Their match was meant, at last, to reunite the championship under one champion.
Instead it nearly tore the chess world apart again.
◈Toiletgate
Topalov's delegation accused Kramnik of visiting his private bathroom suspiciously often, implying computer assistance. When organisers restricted his access, Kramnik refused to play the fifth game and was forfeited in protest; the match resumed only amid deep acrimony.
On the board it stayed desperately close — the twelve classical games finished level at 6–6 — and Kramnik won the rapid tiebreak 2½–1½ to unify the crown, becoming the first undisputed World Champion in thirteen years.
◈Cross Table
This archive holds 15 of the 12 match games; the official score above is authoritative.
1 win · ½ draw · 0 loss — click a game number to replay it.