PRESS RELEASE 21

The second game of the World Cup 2007 final ended in Kamsky's favor. The American grandmaster took the match lead 1.5-0.5. Now Gata must collect one point in two remaining games (or simply avoid losses) in order to obtain the 15-kilo trophy and the right to play against the ex-world champion Topalov.

It was a very exciting game. Both grandmasters played consistently and strongly up to some point. White avoided principled theoretical duel with his third move. Shirov initiated complications, starting active operations on the kingside. Kamsky consumed a lot of time and reacted with cool-blooded exchanges, transposing to an approximately even ending. Alexei wasn't satisfied with such turn of events with probable draw. He continued attacking, and overpressed. All Black's pieces went too far from his camp, while his king was left alone and in trouble.

This was a first loss of the Spanish grandmaster at this World Cup. In the second round he was on a verge of defeat in the second game with Shulman, however that time the fortune took his side. Kamsky hasn't lost a single game in Khanty-Mansiysk.