Grandmaster Rustam Kasimdzhanov drew the first game with second seed GM Michael Adams of England in the six-game final of the World Chess championship in Tripoli, Libya, on Wednesday.
Kasimdzhanov, black, easily split points with Adams, who apparently could neither make much use of the extra rest day he got after his semifinal victory over GM Teimour Radjabov of Azerbaijan nor his white pieces.
Few had backed Kasimdzhanov to be in the finals but belying those expectations, the finalist of the last World Cup has proved himself an excellent fighter.
Even though Adams is a big favourite for his maiden title, Kasimdzhanov has already proved four times that he has knack, stamina and will to take on any opposition in the world.
Kasimdzhanov had beaten Alejandro Ramirez of Costa Rica, Ehsan Ghaem Maghami of Iran, Vassily Ivanchuk of Ukraine, Zoltan Almasi of Hungary, Alexander Grischuk of Russia and top seed Vesselin Topalov of Bulgaria enroute to the final round.
On the other hand, Adams has had a relatively easier opposition Asabri Hussein of Libya, Karen Asrian of Armenia, Hichem Hamdouchi of Morocco, Hikaru Nakamura of United States, Vladimir Akopian of Armenia and Radjabov.
The first game turned out to be a tame affair. Kasimdzhanov opted for the Paulsen variation in the Sicilian and Adams's technical treatment led to no advantage for white.
Kasimdzhanov got a comfortable position with his knight holding sway in the centre and after routine manoeuvring the peace treaty was signed in just 18 moves.
The moves:
Game 1:
Michael Adams v/s Rustam Kasimdzhanov
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 e6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 a6 5. Bd3 Bc5 6. Nb3 Ba7 7. c4 Nc6 8. Nc3 Nge7 9. O-O d6 10. Kh1 e5 11. f4 exf4 12. Bxf4 Ng6 13. Bg3 Nge5 14. Be2 O-O 15. Qe1 Be6 16. Nd5 a5 17. a4 Bxd5 18. cxd5 - draw agreed.