Sujatha Srinivasan reports from the venue (Hyatt Regency, New Delhi)

09 Dec 2000 New Delhi

Khalifman holds Anand

Vishy Anand actually brought more spectators to the Hyatt today. This day being the second Saturday as well as the day when Anand played with white pieces against Khalifman all contributed to the crowd.

Viswanathan Anand vs. Alexander Khalifman

Anand today in spite of playing an opening more familiar to him than his opponent. He has actually even written a book about Marshall Attack. Khalifman said afterwards that he was well prepared for the game. It followed the one between Anand and Adams played in Dortmund earlier this year. Anand won that game but nevertheless he was the first to vary playing 25.Bd2 instead of 25.Be3. Khalifman had anticipated this improvement and was well prepared for it.

Lautier said, "Very good preparation by Khalifman" when asked about the result.

The first game to end today was the peace treaty between Grishchuk and Tkachiev. Though this game was expected to be well fought, both the players didn’t want to take any risks but just keep going.

Tkachiev said, "It was just equality, I couldn’t find anything in this position. It looks better for white." when asked about the draw after the game.

Grishchuk said, "He equalised. The final position is a draw".

Evgeny Bareev vs. Alexei Shirov and Alexander Grischuk vs. Vladislav Tkachiev

Alexy Shirov lost to Bareev with black pieces today. He played the Queen’s gambit accepted variation but then couldn’t make any break though and at by move 34 was in real trouble a situation unchanged by a sacrifice of exchange.

Michael Adams vs. Veselin Topalov

The final game to finish on day one was that between Michael Adams and Veselin Topalov. Adams won a pawn coming up to first time control and after another 30 moves he converted it to a win.

Qin, Kanying vs. Alisa Maric

Qin Kanying seems to be nearing her ambition. She is in great form. Today she played very well to defeat Alisa Maric.

Ekaterina Kovalevskaya vs. Xie Jun

Defending champion Xie Jun drew with Kovalevskaya. Xie actually looked better and every one was expecting her victory. This match is surely going to be a bitter fight to the finish.

A chat with Natalia Zhukova

Who do you think will win the world women chess championship? The winner of the match between Xie and Kovelevskaya. Who do you think will win between them? Kovelevskaya. What about the men’s championship? The winner of the match between Anand and Khalifman.