CHESS : INTERNATIONAL NEWS

Garry Kasparov confirmed his status as the world’s greatest player in the Professional Chess Assn. world championship, which ended Tuesday in New York. In an unsatisfying match that produced few startling moves and generated little excitement, Kasparov defeated Viswanathan Anand, 10 1/2-7 1/2.

In my opinion, this was the worst world championship since the Alexander Alekhine--Ewfim Bogolyubov mismatch in 1934. The players seemed afraid of each other, and Kasparov offered too many premature draws. At least Kasparov admitted that he should have kept playing in several games. Anand offered no excuses for his willingness to draw, contending that “a draw is a legitimate result.” Fans can accept draws, but they want to see a war before the peace agreement.

Roman Slobodjan of Germany edged GM Alexander Onischuk of Ukraine on tiebreak to win the World Junior Championship in Halle, Germany. Each scored 10-3 in the tournament, which featured 80 of the world’s best players under age 21. Hugo Spangenberg of Argentina took third prize at 9 1/2-3 1/2.

Slobodjan automatically earns the title of International Grandmaster for his victory. The 1995 U.S. Junior champion, IM Tal Shaked of Arizona, scored 7-6.

Nino Khurtsidze of the republic of Georgia scored 11-2 to lead a field of 66 competitors in the concurrent World Girls Championship. Eva Repkova (Georgia), Corina Peptan (Romania) and Natalia Shukova (Ukraine) tied for second at 9 1/2-3 1/2. The youngest player, 15-year old Jennie Frenklakh of Monterey, made a good showing with a score of 6 1/2-6 1/2.

LOCAL NEWS

Senior Master Matthew Beelby, a habitual winner at the Arcadia Chess Club, took first prize in the 56-player Istvanyi Memorial with a score of 4 1/2- 1/2. Beelby did concede a draw to Paul Asmar, the first half-point he has lost at Arcadia in two years. Top experts Randy Hough, Antonio Martin and Lawrence Stevens, top Class “A” Fred Brock and top “B” John Anderson all finished at 4-1. Reilly Moss and Pete Sotos split the “C” prize, and Bob Head earned the “D-E-unrated” award.

The club meets at 6:30 p.m. Mondays in the Senior Citizens Building, 405 S. Santa Anita Ave. in Arcadia. The next tournament, the Oak Tree Open, starts Oct. 16. For information, call Mel Clark at (818) 447-9355.

The Wilshire Chess Society will conduct its monthly quad tournament on Oct. 22 in the Community Room (third floor, near the food court) of the Westside Pavilion in Los Angeles. It’s three rounds of 45-minute games against similarly-rated opponents. Register at the site at 10 a.m., or call Raymond de Turenne at (213) 253-7102.

The Pasadena Chess Club, which meets Friday evenings at 85 E. Holly St. in Pasadena, will begin a five-round tournament on Oct. 20. The highest-scoring expert will qualify for the club’s FIDE-rated master tournament, scheduled for January. For details, call Neil Hultgren at (818) 243-3809.

The sixth annual SPA Fall Scholastic takes place Oct. 21 at St. Paul the Apostle School, 1536 Selby Ave. in Westwood. Students in grades K-9 are eligible. The tournament will include a four-round Advanced section and a five-round Booster section. Call John Surlow at (310) 474-0953 for details.