NEWS
OTHER SPORTS
DIARY
PEOPLE
MATCH REPORTS
SLIDE SHOW
ARCHIVES

Adams produces stunner, downs Kramnik

Vladimir Akopian and Michael Adams moved into the semi-finals of the World Chess Championships as one more favourite fell by the wayside.

Adams eliminated Vladimir Kramnik while Akopian defeated Sergei Movsesian to set up the second semi-final. In the first semi-final, Alexander Khalifman and Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu will clash after reaching the last four on Saturday itself. Khalifman beat Judit Polgar 1.5-0.5 while Nisipeanu stunned Shirov by the same margin.

Adams and Kramnik played two draws in the first set of tie-breaker. The first game was a tough fight but well balanced. After lots of exchanges with no clear advantage for either, they agreed to a draw. In the second, Kramnik with white did not get much advantage out of the opening and Adams sacrificed a pawn, making a bid for the win. Kramnik looked a pawn up. Then came the surprising draw. Kramnik had 14 minutes left and Adams seven but everyone was puzzled about the draw. However, in the press conference, Adams said that the draw offer was "fair".

In the second set of tiebreakers, Kramnik as Black got a slight advantage in the opening. But the Russian then went wrong in the middle game and Adams seized the chance on the 27th move with his 26. Re6. From there he was winning and did not loosen the grip. He won an exchange and then brought his King to the Queenside. It ended with Kramnik's first defeat of the championships.

Kramnik consulted his second, Sergei Dolmatov, after the game in the 10-minute break, while Adams waited for the second game of the second tie-breaker.

Kramnik needing a win to stay on, and played the reversed Sicilian from an English Opening. Adams played powerfully until faltering with 24...h7-h6. The move 24...Qg6-h6 would have caused him trouble. Kramnik gained the advantage until he missed a line and played terribly. He left his own rook on the e2-square. Adams seized this chance again and managed a winning edge.

Adams' second victory was the icing on the cake as he made the semis and must now surely be the favourite for the title as he plays Akopian in the next match.

Movsesian lost his first game of this event and paid the penalty for it. As black he did have his chances, but his pawn move on the 32 nd (32...g5) was premature and he did not play the follow up correctly. Akopian handled it well and finished off the game wonderfully.

In the second game Akopian simply outplayed Movsesian from an even position. Akopian offered a courtesy draw which was accepted but in the final position, Akopian was winning. However, a draw was all Akopian needed to ensure the biggest payday in his career. He is now assured of US $140,000.

Akopian attributed his success to his strong nerves. He compared this with the situations were Ivanchuk and Topalov went under because they couldn't control their nerves. He stated that didn't feel the stress that much.