FIDE World Chess Championship 1999
⬅️ Previous | 🏠 | Next ➡️
The FIDE World Chess Championship 1999 was an unpredictable tournament held in Las Vegas, USA. Featuring a 100-player knockout format, the event ended with an unexpected victory for Alexander Khalifman of Russia. His triumph as the 44th ranked player in the world made this one of the most remarkable championships in history.
Champion: Alexander Khalifman
Born: January 18, 1966, in Leningrad, Soviet Union (now Russia)
Khalifman’s victory was a testament to resilience and deep preparation. Despite being an underdog, he demonstrated exceptional adaptability, overcoming strong opponents such as Boris Gelfand, Veselin Topalov, and Judit Polgar. His meticulous strategic approach and psychological resilience allowed him to navigate the knockout format effectively.
After winning, Khalifman humbly acknowledged that he did not consider himself the world’s strongest player, but rather the best at succeeding in the knockout format. His ability to handle pressure, adapt to diverse opponents, and excel under time constraints set him apart, proving that strategic stability and creativity could triumph over traditional rankings.
«The knockout format is brutal, but it also allows surprises, and I made the most of it.» – Alexander Khalifman
Match Overview
Format and Prize Fund
- The total prize fund was $3 million.
- The tournament followed a knockout format with 100 participants.
- The final match was a best-of-six series.
Historical and Cultural Context
The 1999 FIDE World Chess Championship was controversial due to its format, which deviated from traditional world championship cycles. The event occurred amidst the ongoing division between FIDE and the PCA (Professional Chess Association), leading to multiple world championship titles being contested.
Despite Khalifman’s victory under FIDE’s banner, many did not consider him the absolute strongest player in the world. However, his triumph emphasized the democratization of chess, proving that preparation and resilience could lead to victory in such a format.
The tournament was also notable for its location in Las Vegas, a city better known for gambling and entertainment than elite chess. This choice reflected an effort to commercialize and popularize the game, but it also drew criticism from purists who favored more traditional venues.
Khalifman’s Path to the Title
- Final: Defeated Vladimir Akopian
- Round 1: Defeated Dibyendu Barua
- Round 2: Defeated Gata Kamsky
- Round 3: Defeated Karen Asrian
- Round 4: Defeated Judit Polgar
- Quarterfinals: Defeated Boris Gelfand
- Semifinals: Defeated Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu
«Winning a knockout tournament is about adapting to different opponents and never underestimating anyone.» – Alexander Khalifman
Final Score
| Player | W–L–D | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Alexander Khalifman | 2 – 1 (3 draws) | 3.5 |
| Vladimir Akopian | 1 – 2 (3 draws) | 2.5 |
FIDE World Chess Championship 1999 Games
Game 1
Game 2
Game 3
Game 4
Game 5
Game 6
Game 7
Game 8
Game 9
Game 10
Game 11
Game 12
Game 13
Game 14
Game 15
Game 16
Game 17
Game 18
Game 19
Game 20
Game 21
Game 22
Game 23
Game 24
Game 25
Game 26
Game 27
FIDE World Chess Championship 1999
Alexander Khalifman, Russia
⬅️ Previous | 🏠 | Next ➡️
FIDE World Chess Championship 1999 Sources
Quote Sources
- FIDE Press Release, 1999: Khalifman’s thoughts on winning the title.
- ChessBase Interview: Analysis of Khalifman’s unexpected triumph.
General Sources
- FIDE Archives – Official game records and match transcripts.
- ChessBase Reports – Tactical analysis of key games.
- New in Chess Magazine – Coverage of the event.
- Las Vegas Chess Report, 1999 – Discussion on chess commercialization.
- Historical Review of FIDE Knockout Championships – Insights on the impact of the format.
Image Credits
📷 Photo by Stefan64, 1999 – Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0
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.