Alexander Khalifman Triumphs at the 1999 World Chess Championship

The 1999 FIDE World Chess Championship was held from July 31 to August 28, 1999, in Las Vegas, USA. It was the second time FIDE used the knockout format, which brought together 100 of the world’s strongest grandmasters. The event was filled with surprises, as many favorites, including Garry Kasparov and Vladimir Kramnik, did not participate, and other top contenders were eliminated early. In the end, the Russian grandmaster Alexander Khalifman emerged as the unexpected champion. He defeated Vladimir Akopian of Armenia in the final with a score of 3½–2½, showcasing consistent play and strong preparation. Khalifman’s victory was remarkable, as he was not ranked among the very top players at the time, making his success a true underdog story. His win demonstrated the unpredictability of the knockout system and gave Russia another proud world chess champion.