FIDE World Chess Championship 2004
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FIDE World Chess Championship 2004 was held in Tripoli, Libya under a 128-player knockout format organized by FIDE. The event had no reigning champion due to the ongoing world title split. In a historic underdog victory, Rustam Kasimdzhanov of Uzbekistan defeated Michael Adams of England 4.5–3.5 in the final. The result shocked the chess world and highlighted the unpredictability of the knockout system.
📷 Ygrek: (Public domain) via Wikimedia Commons, 19 August 2007.
Winner: Rustam Kasimdzhanov
Born: 1979, Tashkent, Uzbek SSR, Soviet Union (now Uzbekistan)
By 2004, Rustam Kasimdzhanov was a respected grandmaster but far from a household name among chess elites. Known for his precise calculation, defensive resourcefulness, and flexibility, he navigated one of the most open world championship fields with calm pragmatism. Kasimdzhanov’s preparation leaned on solid openings and tiebreak endurance, and his run included victories over Ivanchuk, Grischuk, Topalov, and finally Adams. The win propelled him into international prominence and inspired a new generation of Uzbek players, helping to elevate Uzbekistan’s profile in global chess.
«Winning this title means a lot for my country. I hope my success inspires many young players.»
— Rustam Kasimdzhanov
Key Opponent: Michael Adams
Born: 1971, Truro, England
At the time of the championship, Michael Adams was firmly established as one of the world’s top players and a frequent world title contender. Known for his positional mastery, endgame precision, and calm demeanor, Adams entered the 2004 event as one of the favorites. His consistency and classical style stood out amid the knockout chaos, and he reached the final without losing a single classical game. Despite taking Kasimdzhanov to tiebreaks, he fell short of the title. The event remained his closest brush with becoming a world champion.
«You never quite know what to expect in a knockout format. Every match has its own tension.» — Michael Adams
Match Overview
🗓️ Match Dates: June 18 – July 13, 2004
📍 Location: Tripoli, Libya
✅ Format: 128-player knockout tournament
⏱️ Time Control: 90 minutes for 40 moves, 30 minutes for the rest of the game, with 30 seconds increment from move one
💰 Prize Fund: $1.5 million total, $100,000 to the winner
📄 Main Sponsors: FIDE, General Sports Authority of Libya
Historical and Cultural Context
The 2004 FIDE Championship was marred by geopolitical controversy. Initially, Libyan authorities stated that Israeli players would be barred from entering. Although FIDE later guaranteed access to all qualified players, no Israeli players competed, drawing widespread criticism. The event also fueled ongoing debates about the fairness of knockout formats in crowning a world champion. With Kramnik defending the Classical title against Lékó later that year, the world title remained divided. Despite the format’s flaws, the tournament was broadcast internationally and helped popularize chess in regions with limited historical exposure.
Kasimdzhanov’s Path to the Title
Kasimdzhanov defeated the following opponents on his way to the title:
- Alejandro Ramírez Álvarez
- Ehsan Ghaem Maghami
- Vassily Ivanchuk
- Zoltán Almási
- Alexander Grischuk
- Veselin Topalov
- Michael Adams (Final)
Final Match Score
| Player | W-L-D | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Rustam Kasimdzhanov | 2 – 1 (5 draws) | 4.5 |
| Michael Adams | 1 – 2 (5 draws) | 3.5 |
World Chess Championship 2004 Games
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Game 30
FIDE World Chess Championship 2004
Rustam Kasimdzhanov, Uzbekistan
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FIDE World Chess Championship 2004 Sources
Quote Sources
- FIDE Press Conference: Kasimdzhanov on his surprising victory
- New in Chess Magazine: Adams reflecting on the final match
General Sources
- FIDE Archives: Official match records
- ChessBase: FIDE Knockout 2004
- The Guardian: Libya row mars chess event
- New in Chess Magazine: Issue 6/2004
- British Chess Magazine: August 2004 edition
- Pravda: Coverage of Kasimdzhanov’s triumph
- FAZ (Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung): Archived report, June 2004
- Shakhmaty v SSSR: Archival reference
- Internet Archive: ChessBase reports and commentary
- ChessHistory.com: Knockout controversies and records
- Wikipedia: FIDE World Chess Championship 2004
Photo Credits
📷 Rustam Kasimdzhanov – grandmaster from Uzbekistan
Ygrek: (Public domain) via Wikimedia Commons, 19 August 2007.
Sources, image credits, and attributions for this championship are listed on this page. For general information about the World Chess Champions timeline, visit the main page.