Russian Player Goes to World Chess Finals

Khanty Mansiysk, Russia, Sep 13. -Russian Grandmaster Peter Svidler on Tuesday defeated Ukranian Ruslan Ponomariov and become the first finalist of the 2011 World Chess Cup.Svidler, with 2.739 ELO points, won the match while using black pieces after 43 moves of a Grunfeld Defense.The result, along a draw agreed on Monday, puts him forward to discuss the title.

Svidler now awaits for his final opponent, which will come from the semifinal round between his compatriot Alexander Grischuk and Ukranian Vasili Ivanchuk, who tied on Tuesday for the second consecutive time.

Ivanchuk, while using white pieces, agreed a draw after 43 moves of a Reti Opening.

On Wednesday, Ivanchuk will face Grischuk in the blitz match phase while trying to qualify for the great finals against Svidler. (Prensa Latina)