The Hindu : Kasparov nominated for Oscar-2002

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, May 09, 2003

Sport

Sport - Chess

Kasparov nominated for Oscar-2002

Chennai May 8. World No. 1 Garry Kasparov has been nominated to receive the annual Chess Oscar-2002 by the journalists, who voted for him ahead of World championship challenger Peter Leko and Viswanathan Anand, the winner of more tournaments than others. Kasparov, who turned 40 on April 13 last month, will receive his fifth award in the last eight years.

The Baku-born Russian polled 3802 points and finished well ahead of Leko (2668 points) and Anand (2453), Ponomariov (2145), Kramnik (1471) Bareev (1132). Kasparov helped Russia to a gold medal at the Bled Olympiad last November, and also won the Linares Super tournamentin March 2002 to keep his first place in the world rating list.

This vote, taken and organised by the Russian magazine 64, came as a surprise as Kasparov failed in as many as three events which included a match loss to Karpov in New York.

He was also the key player who did not do well in Russia's historic defeat to the Rest of the World. Also, the early exit in the EuroTel Trophy at Prague indicated that this might not be Kasparov's year. Most of those who voted are Russian journalists.

The race was supposed to be close among Anand who won the World Cup, the match against Ponomariov at Mainz and also the EuroTel Trophy at Prague.

Ruslan Ponomariov of Ukraine, who became the youngest world chess champion in January 2002, should be in the disappointed group for he lost a rapid knock-out to the World women's champion.

The other player who took the second highest vote was Peter Leko of Hungary who won the Dortmund Candidates Tournament to become Kramnik's challenger.

Kasparov is now set to play the World Championship at Buenos Aires against title-holder Ruslan Ponomariov next month.

The local organisers want a postponement as they are not prepared but FIDE and the players want the match in June or they could even move the venue to East Europe.

Discussions are underway at Buenos Aires. — Our Chess Correspondent

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