The historic match will comprise 12 games, played under classical time controls [two hours for the first 40 moves, one hour for the next 20 moves, and then 15 minutes for the rest of the game, plus an additional 30 seconds per move starting from move 61].
The winner is the first player to score 6.5 pts or more.
If the match is tied there will be a four-game rapid chess tie-break (25 minuntes + 10 seconds), after that two blitz games (5 minutes + 10 secconds), before a decisive blitz game, allowing 6 minutes for white and 5 for black. Black will win in case of a draw.
The winner of the match will be declared the unified and sole world champion and go through to the next World championship tournament in October 2007, in Mexico City.
The loser will have to wait for the next cycle.