MOSCOW Dec 4: Former world chess champion Garry Kasparov and Vladimir Kramnik agreed to a draw in the third game of their exhibition match Tuesday.

It was the third draw in as many games and lasted only 21 moves, disappointing spectators.

Kasparov chose to defend the black side of the Tartakover variation of the Queen’s Gambit Declined.

Kramnik varied from known theory on his fifteenth move but his new tactics weren’t successful. Kasparov equalized quickly.

Afterward, Kramnik admitted that his opponent was better prepared in the opening. Kasparov has equalized easily in his two games with black, and had an advantage with white in the second game.

Originally, Kasparov and Kramnik were to have been joined by former world champion Anatoly Karpov. But last month Karpov abruptly withdrew from their event and announced that he would instead play in the rival FIDE championship across town. He was eliminated in the first round.

Kasparov and Kramnik agreed to play 20 games at various time controls, 4 regular games, 6 rapid games, and 10 blitz games. The purse is dlrs 500,000. The event is named in honor of the former Soviet chess champion Mikhail Botvinnik.

The fourth and final game at regular time control will be held Wednesday.

A few blocks away, the FIDE championship had an off-day; play resumes Wednesday.