Anand will be the man to beat in China World Cup

By Our Sports Reporter

HYDERABAD, JUNE 29. India's Viswanathan Anand will be the main attraction at the inaugural World Cup championship to be held in China from August 31 to September 13.

Anand has confirmed participation in the prestigious tournament featuring 24 leading players from all over the world.

Mr. P.T. Ummer Koya, vice-president, FIDE, told The Hindu that besides Anand some big guns, including Vladimir Kramnik, Topalov, Shirov and Nigel Short, had also confirmed participation. ``FIDE secretary Emannuel spoke to Anand and got the big news,'' Mr. Koya said.

The total prize money at stake is $50,000.

Mr. Koya revealed that the championship would be on simultaneously for men and women.

FIDE has three special entries which will be decided by its president besides featuring two entries from China as the host and eight leading players from four Continents.

There is no appearance fee for this mega event.

The tournament will not see the world No. 1 Garry Kasparov and former world champion Anatoly Karpov, who both have refused to take part for different reasons.

It is said Kasparov was not doubly enthusiastic on the financial front while Karpov, of late, is not really keen to take on the `young brigade'.

``Let me put it this way. It is these two players who will miss out a big chance rather than the FIDE missing them in the World Cup,'' Mr. Koya said.

Mr. Koya, who was in Moscow last week for talks with some of the Russian federation officials, disclosed that he had held talks with some of the Internet companies and TV networks interested in telecasting live the mega events scheduled in the next few months.

``A high level delegation of FIDE will meet these officials soon to take a final decision,'' he added. It may be recalled here that New Delhi will host the World championship elimination phase from November 25 to December 20.

The AICF secretary also reasserted the Federation's determination to see that Hyderabad emerged as a leading chess centre in the country. ``The State has got abundance of talent and willing sponsors. The AICF will support any one who is for the promotion of chess,'' he added.

Regarding the proposed Koya Chess Academy in Hyderabad, the AICF official said it would start functioning in the first week of July. ``The venue has been identified and I have given all the equipment and ensured that all the equipment and data bank required for it were handed over to Mr. Naidu and Mr. Nasiruddin Ghalib who will be running the show in his absence.''

Incidentally both of them have been named as deputy arbiters for the GM tournament next month with Mr. Koya being the chief arbiter.

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