Karpov aims to win JAPFA Classic tour

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)