On being knocked out he picked up his chair and smashed it into the table. It was a nervy affair all round, Ehlvest had failed to qualify for the third round on two previous occasions and only when he unleashed a novelty in the Caro-Kann and found himself with the more comfortable position did he turn down a draw offer from Ivanchuk.

Afterwards Ivanchuk wrote a letter of apology for his behaviour although he seemed unrepentant the following day. 'I think my reaction was normal. Some players mix chess pieces, others drop their chairs or make some noise.'"