PRESS CONFERENCE
                        (January 9, 2000)
 
 

Not even the assistance of world no. 2 Vladimir Kramnik (left)
and seven other top Grand Masters from Russia saved Khalifman
from being humiliated by Leko in their Millenium Match showdown.

                                   During the game an improvised press conference took place, in
                                    which Tournament Sponsors, Hotel Organisers and other people
                                    involved in the match replied to the questions asked by the
                                    journalists.

                                    The representatives of the Tournament sponsors took the
                                    opportunity to thank all the spectators, fans and Internet
                                    audience. The arbiter said ‘most of the people were cordial and
                                    friendly with Khalifman, although their heart was with Leko’s.

                                    Everyone agreed to thank the Hotel Kempinski for organising
                                    the match, and also the press for publicising the event.

                                    Every day journalists from different countries (Germany, France,
                                    Spain, Hungary, Croatia…) sent back home reports of the match,
                                    although the only Spanish media was Terra Ajedrez. The
                                    organisers were very satisfied with the Internet audience from all
                                    over the world. There was a bigger audience than in the World
                                    Championship in Las Vegas.

                                    After the game only Leko appeared in the press room: Khalifman
                                    excused himself as he had lost by an important margin, and he
                                    didn’t feel like speaking.

                                    Leko said ‘at the start of the match I was unsure about what the
                                    result would be. I must thank my trainers Amador Rodriguez
                                    (in bed with flu now!) and Bobby Fischer for their help in my
                                    preparation for this match. It was very good. Of course my
                                    family and friends who are always at my side’.

                                    Leko also declared that ‘ I was lucky in a couple of games but I
                                    managed to save the positions with an easy and fluid chess’

                                    When he was asked about Khalifman’s play he said that ‘in the
                                    last game he thought that he had a good position and that he
                                    could risk a bit, but he was unlucky. His preparation with White
                                    was normal, but he had a lot of problems with Black’.

                                    At that moment Khalifman entered the press room, and was
                                    received with a big applause.

                                    He said that ‘today I have played very badly. I shouldn’t have
                                    changed queens, because after that my position was very
                                    inferior’.

                                    Someone asked Khalifman if he would like the revenge against
                                    Leko, at which he replied ‘ yes, I could learn after this experience,
                                    specially if I could play with White’s’.

                                    The representatives of the Tournament Sponsor WFG were very
                                    happy about the outcome of the match, although they never
                                    thought that the final result would be so big. Mr. Carsten, Leko’s
                                    manager, said that Leko’s contract with WFG was for 5 years
                                    (until 2004), and that both parts were very satisfied.

                                    Everyone hopes that the match will be repeated each year.

                                    From Budapest, Net 64 Servicios Interactivos
                                    (English Translation: IM Michael Rahal)