Shirov beats Topalov

Latvian born Grandmaster Alexei Shirov of Spain stormed into the final of the Advance chess tournament trouncing GM Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria 2.5 - 1.5 in the first semifinal in Leon, Spain, on Friday.

Shirov will, in the final on Sunday, play the winner of the second semi-final between World champion Vishwanathan Anand and GM Peter Leko of Hungary to be held on Saturday.

It was a keen tussle between Shirov and Topalov that witnessed three decisive games out of a possible four.

The players are given 20 minutes each and 15 seconds are added to their clocks as they make a move. Named 'Advance Chess' by Kasparov, the participants are allowed to take the aid of computers to cut down on possibilities of errors and thereby enhance the quality of the game.

The first game started with Topalov having white pieces. He made most of it with a crushing victory, pushing Shirov to the wall in a short match. The opening was Shirov's pet French defence but a deviation from the Winawer variation ensured Topalov a substantial edge as he went on rampaging the king side with a pawn roller. All Shirov's attempts to reconcile his pieces were in vain as Topalov successfully ripped open the king's position and by the time the queens got traded Shirov's position was beyond repair. The game lasted 35 moves.

Resourceful as he is, Shirov leveled the score with an equally resounding victory in the very next game. Playing white, Shirov faced the Sicilian Sveshnikov that has been quite faithful to Topalov in the past. It was a less played piece sacrifice variation that gave Shirov the much-needed win. Topalov parted with his queen for three minor pieces but the vulnerability of his king proved decisive.

Shirov stuck to his principles in the third game and yet again employed the French defence but this time Topalov lacked venom and the attack against Shirov's uncastled king in the centre failed miserably. Shirov won the offered piece on the 22nd move and digested it comfortably to romp home after 49 moves.

Shirov played for a victory in the fourth game too and got a slight advantage in the English attack game by transposition. However, he decided to press hard given the condition of the match and settled for a draw in 32 moves.