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Kasparov vs Kramnik
After five years of fumbling, Garry Kasparov is finally set to defend his
title in a 16-game matchup. Most of us were expecting World number two Vishy
Anand to be the one stepping up to the plate, but the Indian passed on
the offer, thus paving the way for World number three, Vladimir Kramnik.
Further details here: Kasparov vs Kramnik.
*****
Kasparov Reigns Supreme
World number one Garry Kasparov was almost untouchable in the Chess@Iceland
speed chess championships held in Kopavogur last weekend. After winning his
preliminary group with an impressive 4.5 out of 5, Kasparov disposed of Polish
GM Alexander Wojtkiewicz in the semi-finals, drawing with black and winning with
white.
World number two Vishy Anand also cruised easily through to the final,
after scoring 4 out of 5 in the preliminaries and bumping off Icelandic
GM Margeir Petursson in the semi-finals.
This set the stage for the "Dream Final", which might be
considered a consolation prize for the thousands of chess fans who shook
their heads in disappointment when Anand declined to face Kasparov in a
World Championship match.
I don't mind telling you I that was expecting Kasparov to make light work
of the Indian Ace on this particular occasion - Anand's game has not been up to
par lately - but the latter quickly got the upper hand in the first game
of the final matchup.
Playing white against Kasparov's favourite Najdorf Sicilian, Anand won a pawn
for what appeared to be nothing in the early middlegame. However, The Champ
managed to stir up a tempest on the kingside and he was finally able to
force an ending where he was only slightly worse. With two pawns for the
exchange, Anand still had some winning chances, but after losing one of the
little guys, he had to settle for a draw.
Kasparov was unable to prove his superiority playing white in Game 2, so
the match went to sudden death blitz games. Playing white in the first
game, Kasparov quickly punted a pawn for the initiative against
Anand's ultra-solid French Defence. In an impressive defensive display, Anand
managed to parry all of Kasparov's threats while trading off one piece after
another. The only problem was that he had to spend huge amounts of time
finding the best moves! In the end he lost on time with his extra pawn still in
hand.
Desperately needing a win in the second tie-breaker, Anand decided to unleash
the dogs as early as possible. This time it was Kasparov's turn to show his
defensive skills...
View Anand-Kasparov
The event was covered live on the Internet Chess Club and "semi-live"
at the official web site: http://www.oz.com/chess/. Most of the games are available
at The Week in Chess :
http://www.chesscenter.com/twic/twic.html.
*****
Reykjavik Open 2000
Wednesday saw the start of 19th edition of the biannual Reykjavik Open,
which features a host of former World Championship candidates and strong GM's.
Further details and annotated games here: Reykjavik Open.
Results and live coverage at: http://www.simnet.is/hellir/Reykopen00.htm.
*****
Porz Win Bundesliga
As expected, the German team championship 1999/2000 turned into a race between
title defenders Porz from Cologne and Solingen. The former managed
to retain the title after scoring an impressive 29-1, conceding
only one draw in 15 matches!
Results and games at: http://www.gm-schach.de/.
*****
Amber Highlights
Annotated games from the recent Melody Amber tournament in Monte Carlo:
View Ljubojevic-Lautier
View Shirov-Van Wely
View Kramnik-Ljubojevic
View Topalov-Lautier
View Ivanchuk-Shirov
*****
Adams Victorious in France
English Ace Michael Adams had no difficulties taking care of business at
the Grand Prix de Bordeaux 2000. After eliminating IM Laurent Fressinet
in the semi-finals, Adams showed no mercy in his final matchup with GM
Joel Lautier, winning both games in convincing style.
The final encounter can best be described as short and sweet.
View Adams-Lautier
- Einar Gausel
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