This week's updates

This day saw the third game of the Finals between Akopian and Khalifman, the last 2 players of the original 100. This will be a best of six game match. A score of 3.5 takes the title. If the two players are tied at the end of the four regulation games, then a play-off sequence takes place the fifth 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.

The Finals

• Akopian (ARM, 2646) - Khalifman (RUS, 2628)

Results of Finals, Game 3

After a few days of rest, Akopian and Khalifman met in the Finals. In Game 1, Akopian went down a piece for two pawns early in the game, then played a long complex ending to finally succumb to Khalifman. Game 2 was a draw. Game 3 was a long, hard-fought battle of 83 moves, and Akopian emerged with his first win, to even the score at 1.5 all. Score: Khalifman 1.5, Akopian 1.5

Player Background

Many Western chess fans have heard little of Akopian prior to this event. Akopian has been a junior World Champion 3 times, under 16, under 18, and under 20. He is now 27 and is rated 2646. Armenia is a country with a long chess tradition, and produced World Champion Petrosian. (GM Garry Kasparov is also half-Armenian.) Akopian has been a Grandmaster for about 8 years, and was seeded #31 into this event.

GM Khalifman of Russia, 2628 is better known, having been a Grandmaster for about 10 years. He was already a top 10 player in 1990 when he won the strong New York Open. He has been a top 50 world player throughout the 90s. He is 33 years old and is an active player on the international circuit. He was the #36 seed for this event.

Viewing the Commentary

The game each day is available in auto-play format (one diagram per move) with live commentary from GM Rohde in our Games Archives. No Java is required to view these games.

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)

Press Releases

Schedule and Player Information

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).