Anand masters Gurevich

In the other semi-final, Karpov, another former world champion, put paid to the hopes of Alexei Shirov with a victory by similar margin to move into the final.

Anand and Karpov will clash in the two-game final later on Monday. A victory would give Anand the unique achievement of lifting the Corsica title three times in a row.

Anand, who had won his previous two rounds with wins from black pieces, scored with white through French defence in 36 moves.

The Indian then defended strongly as Gurevich, a former USSR champion, went all out to force the match into a play-off. Gurevich, who now lives and plays under the Belgian flag, made an English opening and came up with a novelty in the very second move.

But Anand had done his homework and was well prepared for everything that Gurevich could come up with. After a marathon 70-move battle, the match came to a king-pawn ending and the Belgian resigned in disappointment.

Karpov showed that years have not withered his style and skills. After drawing the first game with white in 41 moves, the Russian opted for the Petroff defence in the second.

Shirov seemed to feel the pressure as he tried to break Karpov’s resilience and blundered to bow out in 40 moves.

Though Anand has a big reputation when it comes to rapid chess, Karpov is no slouch. Just about a week ago, he reached the final of the Cap D’Agde 5th Chess Festival where he lost to Boris Gelfand.

For Anand it will be a good way to cap the year in which he also won the World Cup, but lost the FIDE world title.

Results (SF): V Anand bt M Gurevich 1.5-0.5;

A Karpvo bt A Shirov 1.5-0.5.