The Russians staged a superb come back and defeated Rest of the World team twice by identical 5.5-4.5 margin in the third and fourth set of 10 games in the Match of the New Century now underway here at State Kremlin Palace. With six more sets of 10 games remaining in the match, the world team continues to lead the Russians by a slender one point margin. The score after the fourth round is 20.5-19.5 in favour of the world team. World’s top rated player Gary Kasparov scored his first victory in the match, getting the better of in-form Alexei Shirov of Spain who had defeated Vladimir Kramnik in the third round. The Russians dominated the world team in most of the important clashes of the day and it now suggests a level battle on the cards. Starting off with two victories in the first two games, Viswanathan Anand was up against former world champion Anatoly Karpov today. But the veteran did not do much with his white pieces in the fourth round game. Anand’s theoretical tactics in the Queen’s Gambit declined continued with the Russians, having earlier played it against Vladimir Kramnik in the last advance chess match at Leon in Spain. This time Karpov managed a slight advantage out of the opening when Anand gave up a pawn to get the bishop pair as the game entered the middle game phase. Anand ventured in to the minor pieces endgame and controlled all the major entry points with his bishop that gave him a fortress-like position.
