★★★ INTRO ★★★

The 2002 FIDE World Chess Championship was a knockout tournament. The final consisted of 18 year old Ruslan Ponomariov from the Ukraine and 32 year old Vasyl Ivanchuk also from the Ukraine.

★★★ QUALIFICATIONS ★★★

Once again, it was time for another FIDE knockout tournament to determine the new FIDE champion. In previous years, 100 players competed with some players receiving byes, however, this time around, 128 players competed, with everyone playing in every round.

The format for the first 6 rounds (up to the semi-finals) was the same as last time. The first 5 rounds (up to the quarter-finals) were best of 2 with tiebreaks to follow if necessary, while the semi-finals were best of 4, with the same tiebreak to follow, if necessary. (see Game Collection: 2001 - FIDE World Championship KO Tournament for games and more info)

Ponomariov made it to the finals by defeating Li Wenliang 1 1/2-1/2, Sergei Tiviakov 3-1 (2-0 in tiebreaks), Kiril Georgiev 2-0, Alexander Morozevich 2 1/2-1 1/2 (1 1/2-1/2 on tiebreaks), Evgeny Bareev 3-1 (2-0 on tiebreaks) and Peter Svidler 2 1/2-1 1/2.

Meanwhile, Ivanchuk beat Baatr Shovunov 1 1/2-1/2, Bartlomiej Macieja 3-1 (2-0 on tiebreaks), Emil Sutovsky 1 1/2-1/2, Ye Jiangchuan by the same score, Joel Lautier 3 1/2-2 1/2 (1 1/2-1/2 on tiebreaks) and defending champion Viswanathan Anand 2 1/2-1 1/2 to reach the finals.

★★★ CONDITIONS ★★★

Unlike previous years, the finals were a best of 8 (instead of best of 6), with the winner being the first to 4 1/2 points. If it were tied 4-4, then 2 rapid games, followed by 2 blitz games and 1 armageddon game would follow. Game 1 was played on November 27th, 2002.

★★★ NOTABLE GAMES ★★★

Game 1: Ponomariov vs Ivanchuk, 2002

Game 2: Ivanchuk vs Ponomariov, 2002

Game 5: Ponomariov vs Ivanchuk, 2002

★★★ FINAL ★★★

Entering Game 7, Ponomariov lead 4-2, and needed just a draw in the final 2 games to become the youngest player ever to win the FIDE title. He got his first opportunity with the white pieces.

Game 7: Ponomariov vs Ivanchuk, 2002

With the draw, Ponomariov had defeated his countryman 4 1/2-2 1/2 to become the 4th FIDE champion under the "split title era".

★★★ MINI TABLE ★★★

Ponomariov 1 1/2 1/2 1/2 1 1/2 1/2 (2 wins, 0 losses, 5 draws) <64.3% score>

Ivanchuk 0 1/2 1/2 1/2 0 1/2 1/2 (0 wins, 2 losses, 5 draws) <35.7% score>

★★★ OTHER LINKS ★★★

See also: FIDE World Championship Tournament (2001/02)

Head to Head Record Prior to 2002: http://www.chessgames.com/perl/ches... (Ivanchuk won their only meeting, Ivanchuk vs Ponomariov, 2000

Previous FIDE Championship: Game Collection: 2000 FIDE World Chess Championship

Next FIDE Championship: Game Collection: 2004 FIDE World Chess Championship

Previous Classical Championship: Game Collection: 2000 Classical World Chess Championship

Next Classical Championship: Game Collection: 2004 Classical World Chess Championship