Anand, Shirov to clash in final

World No. 2 Vishwanathan Anand entered the final of the World chess championship by winning the four-game semi-final against Michael Adams of England 2.5-1.5.

The fourth game on Friday ended in a draw.

Anand, who was playing with white pieces, started with Ruy Lopez and both the players agreed for a draw after 37 moves.

Anand won the second game on Wednesday while the first and third between the two ended in a draw.

In the other semi-final, Alexei Shirov of Spain drew his fourth game against Alexander Grischuk of Russia, to win the tie 2.5-1.5 points and enter the final.

Grischuk, playing with white pieces, started with Petroff's defence. Both the players agreed for the draw after 35 moves.

The six game final will be played between December 20-27, 2000 in Tehran, Iran.

The dates for the final are: December 20, 21, 22 - Games 1-3
December 23 - Rest day
December24, 25, 26 - Games 4-6
December 27: Tie-break.

In the women's final, World Champion Xie Jun of China lived upto her reuptation and won the final against countrymate Kanying Qin 2.5-1.5.

The fourth game between the two ended in a draw on Friday.

Friday's results:

Men's semi-final - Game 4
Anand, Viswanathan(IND) vs Adams, Michael(ENG) - 1/2-1/2
Shirov, Alexei(ESP) vs Grischuk, Alexander(RUS) - 1/2-1/2

Women's final - Game 4
Qin, Kanying(CHN) vs Xie, Jun (GM)(CHN) - 1/2-1/2