The five of the Russian sportsmen has reached the third circle lost-free. With the account 4:1 Anishchenko has won at Lazareva (Uzbekistan), Edward Galijants – at Evgenie Kurty (Belarus), and Ilja Kirichkov – against Lithuanian Kuklisa. Igor Rudakov dry took party with Byelorussian Sergey Bogdanovym. Has less carried to Vladimir Petushkovu. In the first circle he has lost to Latvian Valentine Grabovskisu, but this very day on the bottom grid of the second circle has dry broken the representative of Georgia David Gahokidze. Next day the situation has changed "just what isn't needed": with the same account (4:0) he has lost to the skilled billiard-player from Lithuania to Sergey Ermakovu and has left struggle.

On May, 28th in general has a little pleased the Russian fans. In the top grid of the second circle Igor Rudakov has lost Kanibeku Sagyndykovu, Ilja Kirichkov – to Alexander Palamarju, Cyril Anishchenko – to sixteen-year Moldavian Vidzhaju Drangoju. Only Galijants has added in this to a flank of tar a spoon сладенького, having won with the account 4:1 against Maxim Ilyichev (Moldova) and having provided itself thereby a problemless exit in 1/8.

In second half of day, the truth, children have pleased, and the bottom grid of the third circle of Ilja Kirichkov has won Nijazi Halafova from Azerbaijan, Igor Rudakov – Evgenie Kurtu (4:3, uneasy, it is necessary to tell a duel, the account in parties 8:0/1:8/3:8/8:3/8:6/8:7). And Cyril Anishchenko simply ruthlessly (4:0, the account in parties 8:3/8:3/8:0/8:0) has unrolled young казахстанца Alihana Karaneeva for whom this performance became a debut in so responsible championship. But Alihanu of only 14 years, and, I think, ahead at it it is a lot of tournaments, and a duel with such strong contender as Cyril has given so necessary experience.

So, misters, joking aside – fights for an exit in a quarterfinal. Igor Rudakov in the most interesting dynamical duel is won against Meraba Chitauri from Georgia 5:3 (this meeting so was remembered to the judge from Moldova to Sergey Sopigore), and by Cyril Anishchenko with the account 5:2 – at Sejmura Mamedov (Azerbaijan). And for the first time for all championship the lot pushes together ours: Edward Galijantsa and Ilju Kirichkova. The situation on a game table fine reminded a swing, good luck was declined that towards Edward Ile smiled: 8:0/2:8/8:4/3:8/8:0/3:8/8:3/8:2. As a result with the account 5:3 the meeting remained behind more skilled Galijantsem.

The more close to the ending, the насыщеннее and more sharply there are duels on green cloth. In четвертьфинальных meetings to last party of halls was in pressure – who from Russians will continue a way to a desired Cup of Europe? Whether Rudakov will win against Gadzhiev? The first party not in favour of Igor, the second – too. Then the victory and again two parties wins Azer Gadzhiev, and one of them – dry successively. Following three – for Igor. The duel account was made even, 4:4! For whom remains контровая? And nevertheless good luck not on Igor's party, it loses solving party 4:8, and in a semi-final there is its contender, Azerbaijanian Azer Gadzhiev. The meeting with young Ukrainian legionary Alexander Palamarem which, by the way, complained is necessary to it that game goes only to 4 victories, and simply «there is no place to be developed by soul».

The meeting of Galijants-Anishchenko is not less dramatic also. The destiny again reduces in a duel of two Russians. But, as they say, a ` la guerre comme a ` la guerre – business is business … the First 2 parties are won by Edward 8:6/8:1. Following – for Cyril 8:0. Then again Galijants increases a separation – the fourth party behind it 8:4. The meeting account 3:1 in favour of Edward. For Anishchenko position serious. But it is quiet and concentrated, as if all goes under its plan. And it is exact confirming to a beret at once three parties. Overweight already on its party. The eighth party is strained to a limit, game goes to last sphere, and Edward pulls out a victory at Cyril literally. Контровая. And nevertheless Cyril Anishchenko who has managed as much as possible to concentrate, wins and leaves in a semi-final. It is felt that the hardest duel has strongly exhausted it is both morally, and physically. As the member of a judiciary board Valery Mihajlovich Ahonov has told, «Cyril has left all emotions there». Whether it will manage to be restored? After all it is less, than in an hour a meeting with one of the most serious contenders – Kanibekom Sagyndykovym. And at that time after "duel" with Vinokurom (which, as well as all in this championship, has traditionally won, moreover and with insulting enough account for the eminent contender 4:0, having combined last party with кия) on rest has dropped out hour three.

Comments to semifinal duels and the ending read on following pages of our magazine.

 

Anna Mazhirina went to the gold medal, it is literally сметая competitors. Meetings on May, 27th with the Latvian billiard-player Natalia Vasilevoj, 29 - with Anastasiej Luppovoj (1/4финала) and Byelorussian Violetta Klimovoj (semi-final) have ended with Anna's "dry" victory 3:0. Only Tatyana Maksimova "has soaked" the account. But after unsuccessful second party the future Champion of Europe-2004 as if подстегнутая loss, at first took third 8:2, and in the fourth and at all with shine has finished with кия 8:0.

And here failures of our Champion of Russia Nasti Luppovoj have afflicted me. Having lost in the first circle to the Belarus sportswoman Olesya Zhudro (3:1), it has left in the bottom grid. There the sports fate was more favourable: she has won against Xenia Kislovoj 3:1, and at Tatyanas Melihovoj (Ukraine) in the third circle 3:0. But on May, 29th in труднейшем a duel for an exit in a semi-final has conceded to Anna Mazhirinoj 3:0 (the account in parties 8:6/8:2/8:3). However, Anastass it has not affected a fighting fuse: «Ahead at me it is a lot of tournaments. I will simply work, save a play experience. Anna – very strong contender, and I wish its of good luck».

There was more successfully a tournament for young Voronezh sportswoman Tatyana Maksimovoj. In the first day she has won against Alena Rusakovoj (Ukraine) with the account 3:2, and, having lost to Mazhirinoj in the second circle 1:3, in the third (on the bottom grid) the most complicated duel with Ukrainian Olga Turijanskoj took "dry" 3:0. In general, Tatyana's endurance can be envied in a kind way: quite often its meetings with competitors went «to last sphere». Did not become an exception and a quarterfinal where she has won against Elena Bunos from Belarus 3:1 (the account in parties 7:8/4:8/8:2/8:7). Having lost in semifinal fight 1:3 to more skilled Ukrainian sportswoman Jeanne Shmatchenko, Tatyana Maksimova has divided the third place with Violetta Klimovoj (Belarus).