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Khalifman dominated in Hoogeveen
Alexander Khalifman stole the show in Essent Chess, a four-player tournament in Hoogeveen, the Netherlands. The Russian Fide World Champion collected an astonishing 5˝ points in six games, and deserved every one of them with his fine play.
This tournament was a gross disappointment for Judit Polgár, who could not retain the form she had had in the previous months.
Round 6
Timman - Khalifman ˝-˝
Sicilian defence. Neither player needed to prove anything, so a quick draw was agreed.
Polgar - Galkin ˝-˝
Caro-Kann defense, Panov variation. Another short draw. (Think twice before buying a ticket to the last round of a tournament which will be decided earlier on!)
Final standings:
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Essent Chess, Hoogeveen, October 2000
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| 1. |
Alexander Khalifman |
RUS |
2667 |
5˝ |
| 2. |
Jan Timman |
NED |
2639 |
3 |
| 3. |
Alexander Galkin |
RUS |
2587 |
2 |
| 4. |
Judit Polgár |
HUN |
2656 |
1˝ |
Games in PGN
Official website: live games
Round 1
Polgar - Timman ˝-˝
A Steinitz defence deferred. White had more space and started a pawn roller on the kingside in front of her castled position. But they agreed a draw on move 25 before any complications had time to ensue.
Galkin - Khalifman 0-1
A French Winawer. Black played actively and sacrificed the exchange. He did not seem to get enough compensation, but because of his space advantage he was controlling the game.
White was ready to repeat moves on move 32 but black decided to play on. This paid off, because white allowed a "family check" on move 37. Galkin resigned before black could deliver the fatal Knight fork, winning white's Queen.
Round 2
Khalifman - Timman 1-0
A Petroff Defence. White seemed always on top, and won a pawn after Timman's knight suddenly felt uneasy on e4. Soon white was the exchange up, and Timman resigned on move 36.
Galkin - Polgar ˝-˝
Sicilian defence. White played quietly, fianchettoing his King's bishop. A quick draw.
Round 3
Polgar - Khalifman 0-1
A French Winawer. Khalifman seems to know the correct strategy for these French positions: castle long and make minced meat of the white king.
Timman - Galkin ˝-˝
Caro-Kann defence. Drawn in 31 moves.
Round 4
Khalifman - Galkin 1-0
A Queen's Gambit. Khalifman walked over Galkin in the style of a Grandmaster in a simultaneous display.
Timman - Polgar 1-0
A Queen's Indian defense. White managed to create a nice space advantage and held on to it when Polgar played passively. Timman then took the opportunity to exchange queens. This created two passed pawns each in the bishop vs. knight ending. Black's knight and King were hopelessly tied to defence and black went down quickly.
Round 5
Khalifman - Polgar 1-0
Benoni defence. White kept the advantage he got from the opening and decided the game by getting a strong passed pawn on the d-file. Polgar never got into the game.
Galkin - Timman ˝-˝
Sicilian defence. Galkin was after a draw with the white pieces. As all near 2600 Elo rated players should be able to do when playing white, Galkin too got easy equality and a draw in 17 moves.
Preview
The Dutch town of Hoogeveen is hosting a four-player tournament which includes Jan Timman, Judit Polgár, Alexander Khalifman and Alexander Galkin. The tournament will commence on Sunday 15 October, and will last till the 21st. Six rounds will be played.
The players have been selected for "interesting contrast". Judit is the woman against men, Jan is the Dutchman against foreigners, Galkin is the youth (world champion) against experience, and Khalifman is simply the Fide world champion.
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