It will be Russia versus Ukraine in Monday's semifinals of the World Cup chess championship after Vassily Ivanchuk and Alexander Grischuk came through stronger from the tie-break games at Khanty Mansiysk, Russia, on Sunday.
Ivanchuk, the second seed from Ukraine, secured a 120-move draw against Azerbaijan's Teimour Radjabov with black pieces in the first rapid game. In the second, Ivanchuk proved his class and won in 54 moves to set up a clash with Grischuk for a place in the final.
Grischuk won the first rapid game against Czech David Navara in 53 moves with black pieces to take the lead. In the second game, Grischuk kept a resurgent Navara at bay and drew in 69 moves.
The other semifinal will be between Russia's Peter Svider and Ukaine's Ruslan Ponomariov who made it on Saturday after recording identical 1.5-0.5 victories in the quarterfinals.
The results (quarterfinals): Vassily Ivanchuk (Ukr) bt Teimour Radjabov (Aze) 2.5-1.5; Alexander Grischuk (Rus) bt David Navara (Cze) 2.5-1.5.
Semifinals (line-up): Peter Svidler (Rus) v Ruslan Ponomariov (Ukr); Vassily Ivanchuk (Ukr) v Alexander Grishcuk (Rus).
