Khanty Mansiysk: Russian Grandmaster Alexander Grischuk and Ukrainian stalwart Vassily Ivanchuk made it to the last-four of the World Chess Cup, defeating David Navara of Czech Republic and Teimour Radjabov of Azerbaijan respectively in the tiebreak games of the quarterfinals here on Sunday.
After Peter Svidler of Russia and Ruslan Ponomariov of Ukraine had made to the semis following normal time-control games, Grischuk and Ivanchuk rose to the occasion to make it a battle between Russia and Ukraine only in this knockout event that started with 128 players.
Grischuk had his task cut out as he won the first game of tiebreaker with black pieces and the Russian had little difficulty in obtaining the needful draw in the return rapid game. That signaled the ouster of David Navara, who had not only played terrific chess but showed excellent gamesmanship during the course of the event.
Ivanchuk had to work harder in both the games. Teimour Radjabov is famous for his skills in the faster versions and kept Ivanchuk under pressure in the first game that started off with an English opening.
The Azerbaijani got a slightly better position and kept pushing hard to finally win a rook for a Bishop. However, Ivanchuk here came up with some dogged defense to keep white forces at bay.
Radjabov tried for the kill by transposing to the endgame but Ivanchuk's defense was perfect and he got the draw after 120 moves.
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