Four GMs struggle to become champion
By Ivy Susanti
SANUR, Bali (JP): Four Grand Masters (GM) will fight hard to finish first in the US$56,500 JAPFA Classic International Tournament 2000 on Tuesday.
The clash of the titans will feature lone woman player GM Judit Polgar of Hungary, GM Anatoly Karpov and GM Alexander Khalifman both of Russia and GM Gilberto Milos Jr. of Brazil. All four players are getting closer to winning the championships as they share the top position with 5.5 match points (MP) each after eight rounds.
Polgar failed to maintain her top position after she drew with GM Yasser Seirawan of the United States in the 23th move on Sunday by Caro Kann defense. Seirawan has collected 4.5 MP.
Karpov, the FIDE world champion from 1975 to 1985 and from 1993 to 1999, faced a tough challenge from International Master (IM) Zaw Win Lay of Myanmar on Sunday before both players agreed to tie in the 72th move using the Queen Gambit opening.
Karpov earned one point to trail Polgar in first place on Saturday after he defeated GM Jaan Ehlvest of Estonia in the 87th move by Queen Indian defense in a do-or-die match that lasted for seven hours.
Ehlvest failed to enhance his performance on Sunday and bowed out to Milos in the 36th move by Sicilia defense.
Zaw's fighting spirit returned and he managed to escape successive defeats. On Saturday, he forced GM Jan Timman of the Netherlands to draw in the 65th move, using Sicilia defense. Zaw has 1.5 MP now.
Timman, however, was late to bounce back and gave up to Khalifman after 26 moves on Sunday. They used French defense. Timman collects 3 MP.
National top players GM Utut Adianto and GM Ruben Gunawan also drew in the 28th round on Sunday by Queen Gambit declined opening. With this result, Utut collects 3.5 MP and Ruben 2.5 MP.
Monday will be a day off for the players.
On Tuesday, Karpov will play his successor Khalifman, Zaw will challenge Ehlvest, Ruben will face Timman, Utut will fight Seirawan and Milos will take on Polgar.
Polgar said after the match that she intended to try her very best to win her final game against Milos on Tuesday.
"I said earlier that I wish to win in the top three. After all, it's a very tough tournament. I don't know whether I can beat Milos, but I'll rest tomorrow and we'll see the result on Tuesday. I will play the black pieces, and it's not going to be easy," she said.
Milos remained noncommittal over his chances of winning over Polgar, given the results of their five previous meets where Polgar won three out of five and Milos won only once. They drew once.
"I'm not sure (that I can beat her). I have the chance to win and so does Judit. But I'm very happy with my performance in this tournament," he said.
He also hoped he could finish in the top three in the 16th category event held at the Grand Bali Beach hotel here.