Liviu lives for another battle

Vladimir Akopian of Armenia, another find of the event, has already booked a place in the six-game final starting on Sunday after he took an unassailable 2.5-0.5 lead after three games over a highly rated fifth seed Michael Adams of England.

The Nisipeanu-Khalifman tie-breaker tonight will decide who will meet Akopian, the player whom chess wizard Garry Kasparov described as a tourist8217; on the competitive circuit.

The 33-year-old Russian, who prefers to concentrate more on his Grandmasters Chess School8217; in St Petersburg Russia, will needto pull out every trick he has, to subdue a young and fast-thinking opponent Nisipeanu in their four-game tie-breaker.

With the way the semi-final games between the Russian and Romanian proceeded 8212; both won while playing white 8212; tie-breaker matches will be an interesting affair. Nisipeanu displayed nerves of steel yesterday at Caesars Palace defeating Khalifman. The white bishop accounted for black pawn in the g8217; file in the 58th move before checkmating Khalifman in the 59th to emerge worthy winner.

Nisipeanu, virtually unknown outside his country before this championship, gained a slight advantage in the opening. The Romanian forced a position where he had the advantage throughout despite each player having the same number of pieces. Though several GMs watching the 59-move game commented that the experienced Russian opponent would be able to draw, Nisipeanu had other plans.

Khalifman, highest seed 36th remaining from the 100 players who started the campaign on July 31, made a few errors, andNisipeanu was able to force a position that secured his win.

Despite the 2-2 draw, Khalifman remains the favourite to make it to the final. The Russian twice came through in must-win situations earlier in the tournament 8212; against India8217;s Dibyendu Barua and American Gata Kamasky. After losing the opening games he forced a play-off by winning the return games and came out unscathed.

The championship has already lost its sheen with all the top seeded players including Russia8217;s favourite Vladimir Kramnik, Adams of England, Hungary8217;s Judit Polgar and American Kamsky losing in the initial rounds.

World number one Kasparov, current FIDE world champion Anatoly Karpov and India8217;s world number two Viswanathan Anand, all refused to compete.

While the Russians disputed the format employed by FIDE, the Indian cited his other commitments 8212; he is to take on Kasparov in the rebel version of world championship battle.