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Khalifman to meet Akopian in final

Paul Eriksen in Las Vegas

Alexander Khalifman, who started his campaign with a loss - and almost crashed out to India's Dibyendu Barua in the first 48 hours, will contest the final of the official FIDE World Chess Championship against Vladimir Akopian.

The 33-year-old, three-time former Russian champion, ended the dream run of Liviu Dieter Nisipeanu in the tie-breaker today.

With just under a quarter of a million dollars being the difference between making it to the final and crashing out in the tie-breaker in the semis, Nisipeanu's fairy-tale run finally ended in a heart-breaking manner. After losing the first game of the tie-breaker, he was better off in the second and had a chance to send the match into an even shorter 15-minute version. But he could not find the winning way. Yet, he went home with the biggest paycheck of his life and a reputation that will do his career a world of good. At 23 years of age, the Romanian may well make the most of this exposure in the gambler's city.

The first game was a great game, considering that each player only had 25 minutes. In a Closed Catalan opening, Khalifman came well prepared. He played extremely well, showing how he can raise his game at crucial junctures. His sequence from ninth to 12th moves forced Nisipeanu to give up a piece for three pawns. The Romanian had little alternative. The wily Russian quickly returned the piece and got a winning attack. Nisipeanu was forced to give his Queen for a Rook and Knight. Khalifman continued to play precisely and got the duly deserved win.

In the second game, a Maroczy Bind appeared and Khalifman seemed to be assailed by Nisipeanu's theoretical knowledge. Khalifman was in trouble. Nisipeanu won both a pawn and kept the initiative. The free White b-pawn was a severe threat. But Nisipeanu strangely slowed down when he seemed to be winning. He was unable to find that winning path which he has so often before found in these championships.

With the noose slightly eased, Khalifman nullified the advantage, and then with Nisipeanu blunering on the 42rd move, playing 42. Ke3 instead of the perfect 42. b5, Khalifman got a chance. He seized it, found a drawing line and got the half point that carried him into the final.

Both Akopian and Khalifman go into the final with odds of 10-11 for the title.

White: A Khalifman. Black: L. Nisipeanu
First game of the tie-breaker:
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2 c6 5. Nf3 Nbd7 6. O-O Be7 7. Nc3 O-O 8. b3 b6 9. Nd2 a6 10. e4 b5 11. e5 Ne8 12. c5 f6 13. f4 fxe5 14. fxe5 Nxc5 15. Rxf8+ Bxf8 16. dxc5 Bxc5+ 17. Kh1 Bd4 18. Bb2 Bxe5 19. Qe2 Qd6 20. Nce4 dxe4 21. Nxe4 Qc7 22. Ng5 Bxb2 23. Qxe6+ Kh8 24. Nf7+ Qxf7 25. Qxf7 Nd6 26. Qf1 b4 27. Qd1 Bxa1 28. Qxa1 Re8 29. Bxc6 Rc8 30. Bg2 h6 31. h3 Rc3 32. Qe1 Bd3 33. g4 Bc2 34. Kh2 Kh7 35. Qe6 Rd3 36. Bd5 Rd2+ 37. Kg1 Rd1+ 38. Kf2 Rxd5 39. Qxd5 Ne4+ 40. Ke1 Nc3 41. Qa5 Bd3 42. a3 Kg8 1-0