CHESS : INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Anatoly Karpov of Russia has nearly completed a successful defense of his World Chess Federation (FIDE) championship title. Karpov leads Gata Kamsky of New York, 9 1/2-5 1/2, in their world championship match in Elista, Russia. Karpov needs only one point in five games to end the best-of-20-game series. Kamsky appeared to have a chance on Sunday, when he adjourned in an advantageous endgame. A win would have cut Karpov’s lead to two points. But Karpov saved a draw in Monday’s adjournment, then boosted his lead to four points on Tuesday by winning Game 14. On Thursday, Kamsky risked the enterprising Modern Benoni Defense, but Karpov drew again, nearly clinching the match.

Both FIDE and the rival Professional Chess Assn. released international rating lists on July 1. Garry Kasparov, the PCA world champion, ranks first on both lists (2785 FIDE, 2788 PCA). Karpov is second (2775 FIDE, 2772 PCA), and Vladimir Kramnik of Russia ranks third (2765 FIDE, 2771 PCA). Then the lists diverge. FIDE rounds out its top 10 with Veselin Topalov (Bulgaria), 2750; Kamsky, 2745; Viswanathan Anand (India), 2735; Vassily Ivanchuk (Ukraine), 2730; Nigel Short (England), 2695; and Michael Adams (England) and Alexey Shirov (Spain), 2685. The PCA places Anand fourth at 2762, followed by Topalov, 2755; Ivanchuk, 2727; Kamsky, 2724; Judit Polgar (Hungary), 2689; Short, 2677; and Shirov, 2673.

LOCAL NEWS

The Southern California Chess Federation (SCCF) will conduct its invitational state championship on July 13-14 and July 20-21 at the Rancho Senior Center, 3 Sandburg Way in Irvine. Spectators are invited to watch eight of the area’s best players in action. Games begin at 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on the first weekend.

Edward Labate, the most prolific organizer of California tournaments in the 1980s, is returning to the chess business. His store, Labate’s Chess Int’l-Orange, at 1016 N. Tustin Ave. in Orange, officially opens July 29. Labate plans a busy schedule of tournaments, including Grand Prix events almost every weekend. The first one, called #97, will be held Aug. 3-4. For more information, call (714) 744-1141.

The July Jollies tournament, a six-rounder on Friday evenings, begins July 12 at the La Habra Chess Club. The club meets at 7 p.m. Fridays in the Veterans Memorial Hall, Orange at Erna in La Habra. Call Dave Silva at (818) 964-5955 for details.