Former world champion Anatoly Karpov faces only one obstacle - Jan Timman of the Netherlands - on Karpov's comeback to a rematch this fall with the game's other king, fellow Soviet Gary Kasparov.
Timman, the third-ranking player in the world, is now playing Karpov. Their 12-game contest in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, is scheduled to end April 4. The winner gains the right to play the 26-year-old Soviet titleholder in a 24-game marathon in the fall.Karpov, 38, world champion for 10 years before losing to Kasparov in 1985, is strongly favored to win and challenge Kasparov for a record-breaking fifth time in a title bout.
Timman's supporters are hoping he can exploit Karpov's relatively poor form over the past year and pull an upset.
"Of course Karpov is the favorite, but if Timman is in good condition, the situation is unclear," Kasparov, who is in Spain, said to David Goodman of The Associated Press in London by phone.
"If both players are nervous or off their form, then Karpov will win. But if Timman plays well, he could produce some surprises," Kasparov said.
The world champion said he might enjoy facing a new opponent, but there were also advantages in taking on his archrival again. "It would give me a chance to beat Karpov convincingly," he said.
Timman, 38, is a celebrity at home. He frequently appears on Dutch talk shows and has appeared in a television commercial as well.
The prize fund of $450,000 at the World Championships Candidate's Final in Malaysia will be split, with five-eighths going to the winner.
However, a West German computer company is offering a prize of $1.5 million to the first Westerner to challenge Kasparov.
In recent years, Kasparov and Karpov have dominated world chess, but in January world rankings, Kasparov established a crushing lead, while Timman closed on Karpov.
In a competition last June, Karpov lost his last three games, allowing Timman to slip into first place. Karpov had never before lost three in a row in an international career stretching some 20 years.
In the first game last weekend, Karpov defeated Timman in 36 moves. Despite having the advantage of playing white, Timman was beaten in four hours.
Timman started with the Ruy Lopez opening by pushing the king pawn two steps forward and Karpov responded similarly. Both players played the opening very quickly, an indication of their extensive preparation for the match.
In his 18th move, Timman allowed Karpov the chance of capturing a pawn. Karpov, apparently surprised, thought for 20 minutes before taking the pawn.
Karpov gradually took control from then on.
Realizing that he was in trouble, Timman took more than 30 minutes to play his next move. He exchanged his knight and tried to regain the initiative with his two bishops.
Timman was forced to give up another pawn on the 34th move. Realizing his position was hopeless, he played two more moves and resigned.
- HIGH SCHOOL - The 1990 Utah State High School Tournament is just a week away. It will be a two-day tourney, March 23-24, and will be played at the American Fork High School, 510 North 600 East.
It is open to all high school students, grades nine through 12.
The tournament is under the direction of Bruce McMaster of American Fork High School faculty. Reservations should be sent to him at 1023 North 600 East, Orem, UT 84057.
The entry fee is $5 if received by March 22. At the tournament site it will be increased to $7.50.
A speed tournament will precede the principal tournament. It will be played beginning at 2 p.m.
The first round of the seven rounds is scheduled for 3 p.m. Rounds 2 and 3 will be played at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m.
There will be four rounds March 24: 9 a.m., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
The time controls have been set for Round 1, 30 minutes per player. Rounds 2 through 6 will be played at the rate of 45 minutes per player. And the seventh and final round will be played at six minutes per player.
- ST. PATRICK'S DAY - The Ogden Chess Club is sponsoring its annual St. Patrick's Day Open March 17 (so hurry!).
It will be held in the Newgate Mall Community Room. There will be four rounds beginning at 10 a.m.
- CONGRATULATIONS TO THE SOLVERS! - Ted Pathakis, Joan Nay, Gene Wagstaff, Hal Knight, Hal Harmon, Edwin O. Smith, Brian Harrow, Dr. Harold Rosenberg, Kay Lundstrom, William DeVroom, Paul R. Lindeman, William D. Price, John N. Neilsen, Jim Turner, Covert Copier, David L. Evans, Ann Neil and Ardean Watts.