Karpov aims to win JAPFA Classic tour

DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Chess legend and former world champion Grand Master (GM) Anatoly Karpov aims to win the US$56,500 JAPFA Classic International Chess Tournament in Sanur, Bali, from April 22 to May 2.

Karpov, whose elo rating is 2696, said after arriving at the Ngurah Rai international airport Friday, that he expected tough games with nine competitors, who have elo ratings only slightly different from his. He said the winner will certainly be a player who is in top form.

"As usual, I want to win. But firstly, it all depends on our form, preparation and the playing situation. The tournament is quite tough and some players are good, including Khalifman. I'm expecting an interesting game," he told reporters at the airport.

Karpov was referring to fellow countryman, GM Alexander Khalifman, (2656) who won the 1999 FIDE world championship in Las Vegas, Nevada. Karpov was the world champion in 1975, 1985, 1993 and 1999.

Last year's championship was a bitter showdown for the 48-year-old Karpov. He refused to play in the championship, alleging FIDE of breaking its own regulation. He had to hand over his title to the younger Khalifman.

"I don't have problems with Khalifman. He played so well that he won the championship. It's the problem with the federation. It changed the system. I think it's not acceptable for the procedure and the title match. It has to be changed. So I sue the federation in the Olympics court in Lausanne, Switzerland," he said.

"I defended my title in January 1998. The rule says the next championship must be two years ahead, so it should be in January 2000 but FIDE held it in 1999. It's against the stipulation. FIDE broke the rules," he said, adding that he would not play in any tournament held by FIDE until the case is settled.

Karpov arrived here with advisor Mikhail Podgaets, who has worked for him for about two decades.

Karpov has played chess since the age of four. He has won 140 tournaments until today. The record has yet to be contested even by long-time arch rival Garry Kasparov of Russia.

Karpov, who visits Indonesia for the fourth time, seemed very happy to play in Bali, considering sweet memories of 1993 when he won the FIDE world championship in Jakarta.

In 1994, he visited Brastagi, North Sumatra, and in 1997, he beat Indonesia's top player GM Utut Adianto (2584), also a competitor in the tournament here, in a duel match in Jakarta.

Other competitors are GM Yasser Seirawan (United States, 2647), GM Jan Timman (the Netherlands, 2655), women's chess player GM Judit Polgar (Hungary, 2658), GM Jaan Ehlvest (Estonia, 2622), GM Gilberto Milos Jr., (Brazil, 2586), International Master (MI) Zaw Win Lay (Myanmar, 2633) and another host player GM Ruben Gunawan (2510).

In the opening match Saturday, Karpov will play Ruben, Polgar will challenge Ehlvest, Zaw will meet Khalifman, Timman will match wits Seirawan and Utut will encounter Milos. Vice President Megawati Soekarnoputri will be the featured speaker at the opening ceremony. (ivy)