The Hindu : An important encounter for Anand, Karpov

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, May 04, 2002

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Sport - Chess

An important encounter for Anand, Karpov

By Our Chess Correspondent

The two finalists have had similar enduring fighting spirit but their approach differs. Viswanathan Anand is there more on account of finding a way to win middlegames by unravelling the knots in the position while Anatoly Karpov has picked up the points on account of mistakes by his opponents.

For the finals starting on Saturday, playing speed moves towards the classical chess format with a long seven-hour session. It is a best of two in classical chess, and if required, two rapid tiebreak games.

Karpov and Anand are entered in history as world champions and decided one of their title matches in rapid play offs at Lausanne, 1998. Anand should be the favourite in all forms of chess they might play at the Zofin Palace but Karpov's probability should go up after every stage of tiebreak if there is a tie on Sunday.

In classical matches, Karpov has won two matches. Anand won the advanced chess match at Leon 5-1 and that is the biggest blow for the Russian in his chess career. They had met in 73 previous encounters, under all varieties of games mixed and Anand leads the head-to-head by 21 wins to 11 leaving 41 games drawn.

They first met at Linares, 1991, which was won by Anand and they last met at Monte Carlo in 2001 where the Indian won the blindfold and drew the rapid game.

The slowing phase should help Anand for his better opening repertoire. Anand is tough with the white pieces and should be making preparations against the Petroff's defence and Karpov for novelties against black in the queen's gambit accepted.

Any barren position without tactical possibilities are Karpov's best bet to survive this match. Either result will mean a comeback.

Anand is waiting for a big career victory after losing his world title in December last at Moscow. Karpov's comeback would mean greater respect for himself after moving out of the world top ten a few years back.

When Karpov was fighting for a draw against Shirov on Thursday, one chess lover posted this note: "Isn't Karpov old and waning.'' Another fan, possibly a Karpov fan replied, "old, yes, waning? I doubt but you better check with Morozevich and Kramnik!''

He is there fighting like a youngster and looking for a fifth victim in the tournament. Those who perhaps wanted classical chess here have packed bags.

Garry Kasparov wanted a clash with Vladimir Kramnik in classical chess in the finals. Both did not make it and unfortunately like in the FIDE Grand Prix there are no matches for knocked down placings here.

In an interview at Prague about the talks on Monday about the merging of two world championship systems, Anand said, "I don't have any solution and don't think my involvement would have any effect on solving all the problems.

``As for having the right disposition for rapid play, I think I was fortunate to be born with it. But it might just be that I'm terribly impatient and that's why I play so quickly!''

For both players, success in this prestigious 500,000 Euro (Rs. 2.15 Crores) is worth more than money. Anand gets a chance to finish ahead of Kasparov, Kramnik and the elite for the first time since winning the Siemens Giants at Frankfurt in June 2000.

For Karpov, to win an event ahead of Kasparov, Kramnik and Anand is much longer, since Linares 1994. So, it is a real contest with lots at stake for the winner.

Anand is ranked No.3 and Karpov No.17 in the world. Anand was expected to defeat all his opponents as per his rating and he had fulfilled it. Karpov has beaten three higher rated players, Kramnik, Morozevich and Shirov.

Whoever wins, the chess fans stand to gain for sure. They are assured at least one thrilling game from the two classical encounters.

Thursday's results:

Semifinals: Viswanathan Anand (Ind) bt Vassily Ivanchuk (Ukr) 2.5-1.5; Anatoly Karpov (Rus) bt Alexei Shirov (Esp) 3-1.

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