Easy win for Khalifman

CHENNAI, MAY 1FIDE champion Alexander Khalifman of Russia and Gilberto Milos of Brazil scored facile victories with the black pieces to join the leader board at the end of the eighth and penultimate round in the Japfa Classic 2000 chess tournament at the Bali Beach Hotel in Indonesia on Sunday.

Khalifman, Milos joined former world champion Anatoly Karpov of Russia and World No.1 woman player Judit Polgar of Hungary in the lead with 5.5 points.

The last round will be played on Tuesday after the free day on Monday. The pairing is among the four leaders: Khalifman versus Karpov, Milos versus Polgar. With the higher rated players, Karpov and Polgar to take on black, the probability of two draws is quite high. Nevertheless, a nail- biting finish is ahead to this $56,500 event, the strongest ever in Asia.

Milos was one tempo ahead in the sharp skirmish and it mattered in a tactical encounter against Ehlvest in 36 moves. Similarly, Khalifman's rook sacrifice netted him two pieces and Timman surrendered to defeat in 26 moves. In both these black victories, there was an attack against the white king.

Karpov could not resist tailender Zaw Win Lay from exchanging all pieces and walking away with a deserved 72-move draw.

The results: (Eighth round): J.Timman lost to A.Khalifman, Judit Polgar drew Y.Seirawan, A.Karpov drew Zaw Win Lay, U.Adianto drew R.Gunawan, J.Ehlvest lost to G.Milos.

- Our Chess Correspondent.

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