Polgar in trouble as chess quarterfinals begin

Friday, Aug. 13, 1999 | 8:24 a.m.

Polgar, the only woman remaining in the field, played an opening variation for which her opponent was well prepared. Khalifman gained an advantage and relentlessly pressed it home for the win.

Polgar faces elimination if she loses or draws in Friday's game, the final of this mini-match. If she manages to tie the match, two game playoff sets will be held Saturday.

The tournament began July 31 with 100 players. It will conclude on August 29 with the crowning of a new world champion. Eight players remain in contention for the title and the first prize of $660,000. The event is sponsored by the Federation Internationale des Echecs (FIDE).

The top seed, Vladimir Kramnik of Russia played to a draw against No. 5 Michael Adams of England. Kramnik was better for most of the contest, but the English star managed to even up the position, and the players agreed to bury the hatchet. Both of these players were among the pre-tournament favorites.

Alexei Shirov of Spain, the second seed and current favorite, was held to a draw by Liviu Nisipeanu of Romania.

Nisipeanu, seeded 46th, had prepared a dangerous opening. He sacrificed two pieces but obtained a strong attack. The same opening moves have been played to a draw against Garry Kasparov, the strongest player in the world. It is widely known that black must play exactly to avoid defeat.

Shirov did not know this opening as well as his opponent, but he found the correct moves and the players agreed to the draw after 22 moves. Shirov will get his turn with the white pieces Friday.

Vladimir Akopian of Armenia seemed to have a slight advantage against Sergei Movsesian of the Czech Republic. Akopian had less time than his opponent, however, and the players agreed to split the point.

The score of the Round 5, Game 1 contest between Khalifman, playing white, and Polgar:

1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.d4 d5 4.Nc3 dxc4 5.e4 Bb4 6.Bg5 c5 7.Bxc4 cxd4 8.Nxd4 Bxc3+ 9.bxc3 Qa5 10.Bb5+ Bd7 11.Bxf6 gxf6 12.Qb3 a6 13.Be2 Nc6 14.00 Qc7 15.Rab1 Na5 16.Qa3 Rc8 17.c4 Qc5 18.Qc3 e5 19.Nb3 Nxb3 20.axb3 a5 21.Rfd1 Be6 22.h3 00 23.Qg3+ Kh8 24.Qh4 Qe7 25.Bg4 Rg8 26.Rd3 Rg5 27.Bxe6 Qxe6 28.Rbd1 Rcg8 29.Rd6 Qc8 30.g3 Kg7 31.R1d5 h6 32.Rxe5 Rd8 33.Red5 Rxd6 34.Rxd6 Rg6 35.Qf4 a4 36.bxa4 Qxc4 37.Rd8 Qc3 38.Kg2 Qb4 39.Ra8 h5 40.Qb8 Qxe4+ 41.Kh2 Rg5 42.Qh8+ Kg6 43.Rg8+ Kf5 44.Qh7+ 1-0