Kasparov to have first strike

By Our Chess Correspondent

CHENNAI, OCT. 7 In his first title defence in five years, holder and World No. 1 ranked Garry Kasparov of Russia will open with the white pieces in Sunday's opening game against his fellow challenger Vladimir Kramnik.

This was decided in the opening ceremony and press conference held at Home House in Central London on Thursday evening. The 16- game match which is sponsored by the Braingames Network will conclude on Nov 4. The venue is the Riverside Television Studios at Hammersmith in West London.

The prize fund of $ two million is still a mystery. The division of the prize money is not yet decided and they are playing `Skins', where draws increase the money involved in a subsequent decisive game. When they opened this discussion of prize sharing, Kramnik said, ``I am concentrating on my chess, it is too late to be talking to lawyers.'' Then he punched it by, ``I don't care about the money, it's the title I want.'' To which Kasparov replied, ``Nigel Short challenged me only in words and after four games the match was over, Vladimir represents a real challenger.''

Kramnik, 25, has an Elo rating of 2770 against Kasparov's 2849. Together they shared the Linares Title this year. For 37-year old Kasparov it is the third match in London. He played one part of his 1986 Match against Karpov there and defended his 1993 title against Short. Kramnik is playing his match of his life. He has made several changes in his lifestyle for the purpose.

The teams of the players are available and small for such a big match with a two million dollar budget. Kasparov has relied on experience and chosen GM Yuri Dokhoian, GM Mikhail Kobalia and Andrei Shakarov and GM Andrei Kharlov. Kramnik has opted for reliable friends, Spanish No.1 Miguel Illescas from Barcelona, Joel Lautier of Paris and Evgeny Bareev, his Moscow neighbour. Practically there are no surprises. Kramnik and Illescas speak in English to communicate while all others in both teams including Lautier speak Russian.

On Thursday evening, Kramnik picked an envelope which decided the colours for game one. The players will have alternate colours, Kramnik having white in all even games, Kasparov white in all odd games and game one. The games are played on Oct 8, 10, 12, 14, 15, 17, 19, 21, 22, 24, 26, 28, 29, 31, Nov 2, 4.

The chess world expects another Kasparov victory. The average expectation is 8.5-6.5 against Kramnik. The chess world is known to favour existing champions and it included the famous Spassky- Fischer match of the century in 1972. An eight-eight draw is enough for Kasparov. Kramnik needs that extra victory. He has promised to play `aggressive'. Nigel Short played aggressively in 1993: the match was over far too quickly. Anand played cautiously in 1995: Kasparov busted his main opening repertoire as black mid-way after coming from behind.

Match courses are hard to guess. Even the players would not have a full idea. Perhaps by experience Kasparov will have some idea. Being a shorter match of 16 games, this factor should favour Kramnik than a longer one. But match play is Kasparov's real strength and it is difficult to imagine him being defeated. For several chess players the heart is with Kramnik and the money is behind Kasparov. A new champion will be good for the sport.

Surprise is the best weapon. Openings are the best place for it. Kasparov is known for big surprises. He might rely on open and semi-open positions from his openings to Kramnik's closed ones. Kramnik chose the king pawn as white in his last game against Peter Leko which he won giving some indication that he may prefer semi-open games. Both Kasparov and Kramnik have not played a single decisive classical game between them since February 1997. This indicates more draws could come.

Kasparov will try to feel the opponent in the first phase and a quick blow may not occur. Should the pattern of the 1995 match should repeat, Kasparov first try as white is often a false one and he will quickly settle for the other choice for his first move. He starts with both king pawn and queen pawn. Kramnik should make a draw in game one at best.

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