Veselin Topalov — Vladimir Kramnik
Rapid Tiebreak Game 3, and Topalov must win to stay alive. He enters the sharpest available Semi-Slav line and generates genuine complications, including a brilliant queen sacrifice attempt that creates serious practical difficulties. But Kramnik, needing only a draw in this game or the next to become world champion, finds accurate defensive resources at every turn. A dramatic draw keeps his match point advantage intact — one more game to go.
Rapid Tiebreak Game 3 — Topalov goes for maximum sharpness in desperate need of a win; anything less ends his championship hopes.
Topalov's queen sacrifice attempt creates real complications and genuine winning chances, but Kramnik's precise defence refutes the combination under enormous time pressure.
Draw after 38 moves — Kramnik needs only a draw in the final rapid game to become the unified World Chess Champion.