Final
It was a long wait for the World Championship Match between World Champion Anatoly Karpov and Challenger Gata Kamsky, but the exciting clash between these two top players proved to be well worth the wait. Even before the Challenger was sieved, there was already a prospective organizer in India. However, this failed to materialize when Kamsky made unkind remarks during his semifinal match there. When FIDE did not receive any other firm bids for the match, Karpov and Kamsky tried to negotiate with several cities, in cluding some in Russia and Argentina, but without success.
In March 1996, President Iljumzhinov held a widely publicized press conference in Paris together with Karpov and Kamsky and announced that the match shall take place in June in Baghdad.
FIDE was criticized when there were no bids, but when Iraq came for ward, FIDE was severely criticized as well. Better no match than to hold it in Baghdad, so said the critics.
Therefore, President Iljumzhinov did all he could to save the match and or ganized it in his own home in Elista, capital of the Republic of Kalmikya. Once again the critics charged that Elista was not neutral ground for Kamsky, that facilities were not suffi cient for the match, etc. It was easy to criticize but no other bidder came for ward.
Deputy President Bachar Kouatly was tasked to negotiate with Gata Kamsky. After several exchanges of letters with President Iljumzhinov, finally in early May Gata authorized his father, Roustam, to inspect the venue and negotiate a contract. It was during his visit that Roustam was touched by the warm reception and enthusiasm of the people of Kal mikya. Impressed by the facilities, he apologized at a press conference for his unfounded fears.
The Presidential plane from Moscow, carlying over a hundred visitors, touched down in Elista a day before the opening ceremony. A colorful reception was arranged on the tarmac with folk dances and a traditional warm Kalmikyan welcome. Concur rent with the opening was the FIDE Executive Council meeting and all members were assigned several high- ranked guides.
A light drizzle the following day did not dampen the enthusiasm of the people of as visitors paraded down the main boulevard to the opening ceremony.
With an area of some 75,000 sq. km., steppes roll over most of Kalmikya. Rich in agriculture, its main export products are caviar and wool. Elista is a progressive city with modern facilities. The 350,000 population of Kalmikya speak with reverence of their President, Kirsan Iljumzhinov. The people are polite and kind to visitors. Every weekend, hundreds gather in Lenin Square for an evening of music and dance.
Karpov came with second GM Ron Henley of the United States and Vladimir Epishin and Podgaets of Russia while Kamsky had GM’s John Federowicz of the USA, P. Nikolic of Bosnia and L. Van Wely of the Netherlands.
One of the friendliest championships according Chief Arbiter G. Gijsen started on June 5 1996 in Elista, Kalmykia. The so long waited match attracted a huge publicity in the country and the little republic became worldwide known. The atmosphere was so friendly that even R. Kamsky didn’t forget to compliment Kirsan and his people: “…I watched him working. He sleeps only 3 hours a day. (…) Kirsan does not think about luxury, I began to respect him and to trust him. To my mind, he works for his Republic, for his people. I have not seen such friendly people very often. By organizing the World Chess Championship in Elista, your president has made a genius move. Now information about Kalmykia is all over the world, India, USA, Japon etc. It’s a wonderful thing. (…) We have not felt so good so far anywhere else. I convinced my son that Kirsan Nikolaevich is the best organiser for chess. Because he really takes care of his business. I am afraid that he might leave everything because of all these squarrels and scandals in the chess world. Nevertheless chess needs him. But he, can live without chess… ”
Gata Kamsky, 22, of the United States, challenged the current FIDE Champion Anatoly Karpov, 45, of Russia, for the FIDE World Championship title in a 20-game match.
Gata Kamsky is the first U.S. player since Robert J. Fischer to challenge for the FIDE title. Gata was born on June 2 in Siberia, moved to Leningrad in 1980 and immigrated to the USA in 1989. Master since 13, Grandmaster since 16, champion of USA in 1991 he won more than 10 international tournaments.
Time control was 2 hours for the first 40 moves followed by 1 hour for the next 16 moves, with adjournments the following day.
Total prize fund was US$2 million. Anatoly Karpov and Gata Kamsky voluntarily pledged a donation of $500,000 to the health fund of the children of Kalmikya.
Chief Arbiter was Geurt Gijssen of The Netherlands, Deputy Arbiter was Abd. Hamid Majid of Malaysia and Chief of Appeals Morten Sand of Norway.
Game 1
Game 1
Grunfeld Defense
A variation led to an unusual opening position in which White’s two bishops was off set by Back’s lead in development. In a level position Karpov won a pawn and managed later to make it unstoppable.
Game 2
Game 2
Caro Kann
Karpov seemed very irresolute in playing his Caro-Kann exchange defence (it transposed into a more typical d-pawn position). His 17. …Qa5 was met by a powerful combination. He was even lucky to get the Rook and Minor piece for Queen he did. Kamsky seemed to make light work of grinding the ending out. So now the worry is for Karpov supporters, this was a pretty abject performance from Karpov. Karpov: “During a match I have one or w=tw days when I am not myself. I can not recognize myself. I intended ot play one move and play another one. My thought went on 16…Qb6 and played 17…Qc6 with a dreadful position.”
Game 3
Game 3
Queen Indian Defence
The Challenger chose a rarely continuation for his twelfth move but manged to avoid the blockade of his pawn chain. Later White’s Rook penetrated on the seventh rank but could not produce enough treat to claim any chance of success.