Associated Press
October 18

Grandmaster Rustam Kasimdzhanov of Uzbekistan sailed into the finals of the World Chess Cup with an emphatic victory over Alexander Belyavski of Slovenia Friday.

In the other semifinal, defending champion Viswanathan Anand of India drew again with Alexey Dreev of Russia. They will contest two short tiebreaker games to determine who will play Kasimdzhanov in the final.

After a lucky escape in the first game of the semifinal Thursday, Kasimdzhanov crushed Belyavski in the second game Friday. Playing white, Kasimdzhanov won a slender advantage after the opening and exerted pressure on both flanks to win a pawn.

Belyavski put up stiff resistance and after routine exchanges, the game drifted into a queen and minor pieces endgame. However, Kasimdzhanov knocked out two more pawns and ended the game easily in 59 moves.

"I think he (Belyavski) was disturbed after messing up a winning position on Thursday and he fell for my preparations," said Kasimdzhanov after the game.

Anand failed to capitalize on his early advantage and had to settle for the draw in just 16 moves with Dreev. The two were scheduled to play two 25-minute games and if the scores are still tied two blitz games of five minutes each will be played.

Results

Semifinals

Men

Viswanathan Anand (India) drew Alexey Dreev (Russia) 1-1; Rustam Kasimdzhanov (Uzbekistan) beat Alexander Belyavski (Slovenia) 1.5-0.5;

TENNIS.

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia - US$110,000 VUB Open WTA tournament:

Singles. Second round.

Lubomira Kurhajcova, Slovakia, def. Iroda Tulyaganova (6), Uzbekistan, 1-6, 6-0, 6-2.

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