Man versus Machine

If Fritz-Kramnik was a Human-Human contest, then game 4 would register as a distinct improvement for that first human (ie Mister Fritz). We would say that first human was lucky not to be behind - and let alone especially lucky to be a game in front - but that in game 4, he at least knew how to get a better endgame and apply pressure throughout. And whilst he must be a touch disappointed with the draw, at least he showed some subtle class that had been missing from his play in certain previous games.

Of course such descriptions make no sense with Fritz, who - unlike its sponspors - couldn't care less, whatever passionate remarks its display says. Fritz was white yesterday, and here are the moves of the game: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4 Nxe4 4.Bd3 d5 5.Nxe5 Nd7 6.Nxd7 Bxd7 7.0-0 Bd6 8.Qh5 Qf6 9.Nc3 Qxd4 10.Nxd5 Bc6 11.Ne3 g6 12.Qh3 Ng5 13.Qg4 Qf4 14.Qxf4 Bxf4 15.Nc4 Ne6 16.Bxf4 Nxf4 17.Rfe1+ Kf8 18.Bf1 Bb5 19.a4 Ba6 20.b4 Bxc4 21.Bxc4 Rd8 22.Re4 Nh5 23.Rae1 Rd7 24.h3 Ng7 25.Re5 Nf5 26.Bb5 c6 27.Bd3 Nd6 28.g4 Kg7 29.f4 Rhd8 30.Kg2 Nc8 31.a5 Rd4 32.R5e4 Kf8 33.Kf3 h6 34.Rxd4 Rxd4 35.Re4 Rd6 36.Ke3 g5 37.Rd4 Ke7 38.c4 Rxd4 39.Kxd4 gxf4 40.Ke4 Kf6 41.Kxf4 Ne7 42.Be4 b6 43.c5 bxc5 44.bxc5 Ng6+ 45.Ke3 Ne7 46.Kd4 Ke6 47.Bf3 f5 48.Bd1 Kf6 49.Bc2 fxg4 50.hxg4 Ke6 51.Bb1 Kf6 52.Be4 Ke6 53.Bh1 Kf6 54.Bf3 Ke6 1/2-1/2. I have a strong hunch if Kramnik had had white, the result of that endgame may have been different.

Tomorrow (Sunday) is the fifth game of this six-game match. Kramnik has white; he surely must go for the win in an attempt to draw the match. You can keep track of it via one of the ten live feeds here. Kramnik, meanwhile, ought at least watch out for those mates in one.