The Hindu : Sport / Chess : Topalov too good for Movsesian

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jun 26, 2004

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Sport - Chess

Topalov too good for Movsesian

TRIPOLI, JUNE 25. Top seed and hot favourite at the 17th World chess championship 2004 Bulgarian Grandmaster Veselin Topalov drew his second game of round three to advance to the club of last 16.

He gained a solid point from his first game of the third round against Sergei Movsesian and drew his second game to qualify for the next round. For Movesian, it was a do-or-die game to take Topalov to a tie-break. However, Topalov proved too strong for him and realising that there was no way he could defeat Topalov, Movsesian offered a draw which was politely accepted by his opponent.

``Movesian is really a strong player. I think he was too tired playing tie-breaks in the second round games and therefore could not concentrate on his games against me. He was quite good in the second game too but had no chance for a win,'' Topalov said after his victory.

His second game was a grand fight and he had surprised his opponent on the first with his e5 move against e4. Movesian, after 27 moves, requested a draw.

On being asked about his chances for the title, Topalov said ``It is too early to say anything. In a knock-out tournament, anything can happen. Besides I think Michael Adams is in good form and can be a big challenge.''

The English Grandmaster Adams did have some problems in the middle game against Hichem Hamdouchi of Morocco. However, he managed to wriggle out of the problem and comfortably took the game towards a draw.

Like Topalov, Adams also had won the first match against Hamdouchi.

Michal Krasenkow of Poland, who had beaten Commonwealth chess champion of 2004 at Mumbai, Nigel Short in the second round, beat Russian Vadim Zvjaginsev. — UNI

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