This week's updates

This day begins Round 4. Just 16 players remain out of the original 100. We continue with the two game mini-matches in this round. A score of 1.5 (one win and one draw) advances to Round 5. If the two players are tied at the end of the two games, then a play-off sequence takes place the third day of the round. (For information on play-off rules, see the official FIDE site.)

American Participants

Nine Americans competed in the event. Eight played in Round 1, of whom three advanced into Round 2, and one had an automatic entry into Round 2. All four Americans were eliminated in the second round.

USCF coverage, including GM Rohde's commentary, will continue throughout the event.

Round 4 Pairings

• Topalov - Kramnik
• Shirov - Short
• Nispeanu - Ivanchuk
• Khalifman - Gelfand
• J. Polgar - Zvjaginsev
• Adams - Dreev
• Movsesian - Federov
• Georgiev - Akopian

Results of Round 4, Game 1

Not unexpectedly, most games were drawn. Only the Polgar - Zvjaginsev game was a short draw, though (18 moves). Three of the remaining five went over fifty moves. Only one of the eight games was decisive: Shirov's 46 move win over Nigel Short of England. Both players threw themselves into the game, favoring sharp variations. (Shirov's 1997 book, Fire on Board, seemed particularly appropriate--he has had only one draw so far in the event.)

FIDE's official press releases report that Vegas oddsmakers show Kramnik as the top bet to win the Championship, with Shirov second. Shirov, we imagine, has other ideas.

Viewing the Commentary

At least two games per day are available in auto-play format (one diagram per move) with commentary from GM Rohde in our Games Archives. No Java is required to view these games. See the FIDE Official site for complete results.

Schedule and Player Information

Round by Round Results Summaries

Quarter Finals (8 Players Remain)

Semi Finals (4 Players Remain)

Finals (Akopian vs Khalifman in a Best of 6 Game Match)

The US Chess Federation is the official sanctioning body for tournament chess in the United States, and for US participation in international chess events. It has over 80,000 members. In addition to rating tournaments, the USCF supports and promotes chess activities in scholastics and correspondence chess. The USCF publishes two national magazines, CHESS LIFE and SCHOOLMATES (for children).