Some, like GM Vassily Ivanchuk already knew their fate. I asked him if the Flu which was apparent from his face played a part in his dull showing. The Ukranian genius cast that aside with "No! I just played bad here in India, maybe next time." You know, he could have latched onto this excuse as it once had an effect on Bobby Fischer! Though he came back then Vassily will have to go!
The game of the round as many dubbed it was between Anand and Qatar's Al-Modiahki. It lived up to the billing and remarkably went to "Extra-time" as the Dreev-Kobese drama. This one was to be very short. The point was Al-Modiahki should not taken for granted the adoration through-out India that has bestowed Anand with the crown of "Speed-King". Even "come-back kid" is another of the well known names here! Well I do not blame him, these names are found in aftermaths. In fact to his credit Anand said "It was difficult to find best continuations with only seconds remaining, so I bluffed, and justifiably so, because..." Yeah... the end result always justifies the means! The now "on form" GM Alexey Dreev found amazing energy after Round #3 to crush the teenage maestro. With all fairness the move 1.b3 by GM Radjabov could have gotten him some solace.
The ladies' section sees the phenomenal WGM Koneru Humpy register her fourth straight win and qualifies early. She says afterwards she plays chess to win! No draws, referring to the offers she declined. WGM Antoaneta Stefanova has also qualified. Viktorija Cmylite dashed the hope of the little 12-year old Dronavalli Harika, but not without a fight, 72 moves to get the kid out!
Just after the round the players are relatively uneasy about something. They all spontaneously erupt into a chorus of questions about the tie-break system. FIDE and the Organisers cleverly read the situation well and called for a meeting. All players now seated, the Chief Arbiter Mr. Abundu realigns them with the agreed rule from the players meeting! they have heard a rumour that there is a "sudden death" which will be used! GM Azmaiparashvilli answers this one by, "What? You think they use Russian roulette?" They all disperse with some agreement for tossing of coins and so on! [Pictures below].
Jaan Ehlvest is a man of few words, but last night the man was an absolute entertainer in a totally intoxicated stupor. It was his Birthday! He learned his western manners well you know, "Life begins at 40," he shouted one beer after the other! More to celebrate was his gift from Morozevich of full score. It was a stellar performance! The crocodile, as Ehlvest is known in chess for his "Big Bite," sacrificed a pawn then controlled proceedings onwards. His opponent resorted to the Internet blitz all night long mating lizards! Perfect consolation!
In Kobese's group thing were heating up tremendously. He was facing the Georgian maestro GM Zurab Azmaiparashvilli. He commented that he trained Garry Kasparov! He now claims credit for Radjabov's astonishing success within the best of the best! Watu was simply outplayed. He avoided my preparation with an early e3! Watu said afterwards, "I must work on broadening my repertoire if I am to survive at this level!" One to go for Watu!
The Uzbek GM Rustam Kasimdzanov comes out the lift sees Anand standing over there and comments about Round #3: "You waited to cause trouble using me yesterday, right?" They both laugh, go into the playing hall. This was to be his best game for the event so far! Desperate situation calls for desperate measures is the lesson. GM Sasikiran has been really solid in front of the admiring crowd. The Uzbek chose, in his own words afterwards, "dubious" for a reason! Sasikiran kept on hesitating to strike until a remarkable 31...Bg5!!! finished him off.
Jackie Ngubeni reporting from Hyderabad,
India.
14 October 2002