Rest puts players in a spot

By Arvind Aaron

WIJK AAN ZEE, JAN. 22. The long rest that the top three players have had before this Corus chess tournament has not done them any good as they have run into greater difficulties than they would have had this event come at the middle of the season. Although still undefeated, Garry Kasparov, Viswanathan Anand and Vladimir Kramnik have had more than their usual share of trouble at the board.

Friday was the second of three rest days and play will resume on Saturday with Kasparov and Kramnik enjoying a one point lead over Anand and the rest. Eight rounds remain to be played.

``Anand has been disappointing for my money,'' said one Dutch International Master. But taking a closer look, he has had three blacks and drawn all of them. He missed scoring off one of his two whites and that too against Kramnik, so far the best player. His blacks haven't been cool. It was a rough ride against both Timman and Leko.

Kasparov has had his share of the trouble against Piket and Adams and was in graver danger. Kramnik in trouble in the fifth round.

Anand meets Korchnoi on Saturday with the white pieces. Kasparov plays Short with the black pieces.

lThe standings: 1-2 G. Kasparov (Rus), V.Kramnik (Rus) 4/5 each, 3- 5 V.Anand (Ind), J.Piket (Ned), P.Leko (Hun) 3 each, 6-11 M.Adams, V.Korchnoi (Swz), A.Morozevich (Rus), P.Nikolic (Bih), N.Short (Eng), J.Timman (Ned) 2.5 each, 12 Judit Polgar (Hun) 1.5, 13 L.Van Wely (Ned) 1, 14 S.Lputian (Arm) 0.5.

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