The match in Elista is over. Kramnik and Topalov were tied after 12 games and played a 4-game rapid tie break. Three of the four games were decisive, Kramnik winning the fourth.
I had said earlier that Topalov was a deserving champion. After the toiletgate shenanigans, I was rooting for Kramnik. He managed to overcome the one point penalty (from foreiting the fifth game) and prevailed. Mig has a good quote on his blog: "I don't know if the better player won today. But looking back over the past few weeks I'd have to say that the better man certainly did. Hail the new and improved world champion! Or, dare I type it, hail the new World Champion!"
The games themselves were very exciting, though the quality was often affected by nerves. They usually are exciting when Topalov plays! Reports and game scores can be found on the Chessbase site.
The next thing to look forward to is a resumption of a regular and fair system of determining future world champions. FIDE has for too long been a highly unprofessional and highly political organization. That needs to change.
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