The first FIDE World Chess Championship Knockout Tournament is being held in Groningen from December 8 - 30, 1997.

   The winner will play against FIDE World Champion GM Anatoli Karpov in Lausanne, Switzerland from January 1 - 9, 1998.

   The time control is 40 moves in 100 minutes with 30 seconds added for each move played, followed by 20 moves in 50 minutes with 30 seconds added for each move played, followed by all remaining moves being completed in 10 minutes (with a 30 second bonus added for each move played).

   Tie-break matches will be used to determine the winners of tied matches.
These matches will consist of two tie-break games (25 minutes per player plus 10 second bonus for each move played). If the scores are still level, then two new tie-break games of 15 minutes per player plus a 10 second bonus for each move will be played (no 15 minutes games will be played for round 1 games, they will start sudden death games immediately following the 25 minute games, if necessary.). If that fails to bring a winner, then sudden death games (in which White has four minutes and Black five with a 10 second bonus for each move played) should render a decision.

   Sixteen electronic monitors are being used to display the top games -- live -- for the audience. The remaining games are being shown on large demonstration boards. The playing hall is a large rectangular room in which there are 2 rows with tables and chairs to host the 68 participants of the first round.