The day started with a back to business routine at the Ramoji Film City. The previous days Opening ceremony at the breath-taking Moghul Gardens did not seem to have any lingering hang-over on the players. Camps reported good atmospheres except the Ivanchuk team who seem to have caught flu. He was rushed to a Doctor and seem to be upbeat as he scooped a full dish of rice in front of me.

The Russian GM Dreev has been located! He was reported missing after he failed to make his flight in Moscow. Stranded in Delhi, the Organizers felt he will make it on time.Besides, awaiting him is his countryman GM Sergey Rublevsky. So, this score Fischer would take no odds as his complain of 1962 about Russians giving each other draws could be foreseen.

IM Watu Kobese was amazingly UP & ABOUT and in high spirits. "This guy is crazy," I thought to myself! Not only is he the lowest titled player (the only IM in the field of super GMs), but also carries an embarrassing rating to come with! "So what's up man," I enquired! The answer was even more astonishing. "This is my personal Linares," he answered. Watu will always find ways to see matters different if it comes to keeping himself motivated. It somehow saddens one to imagine he is not having any regrets for not have had opportunities like Europeans have in this game. "You see Bra' Jackie, no one really knows my chess strength... even Leko suffered for underestimating me!"

With such confidence Kobese quickly settled into a humble posture in front of his fancied opponent. Many of the top players spoke freely to one another. The "Yermolator" as the USA GM has come to be known was happily relaxed chatting to GM Ehlvest across, as if saying, "Hey! Mine is a walk in the park!" Clocks started and Watu was playing clearly faster, his opponent cautious and weary. Theoretical lines of the Slav Defense ensued (see www.fideonline.com) then Boom!!! 15...Bh6. The Yermolator shifted in the chair incessantly with clear uneasiness. The SOWETO lad stared straight into the eyes of his opponent with those laser-like marbles. A long spell went by, say 35 minutes. 16.Nf1. a lightning fast 16...c4 followed and ... the Grandmaster was now showing sign of dejection. He rolled into a fold which made even filming him near impossible. GM after GM walking past him would see him occasionally lift his head and then slump it again. This game was over for him. He played on almost in disbelief until CHECK-Mate was a few steps ahead and threw the left hand in the air with Anand hovering and stopped the clock! IM Watu Kobese the "giant killer" took the glory with sombre humility, thanking his opponent as if he was lucky to win!!!

Watu came out and expressed a shocking anger. "I hate Africans who come to these events and go home with Zeros. This hurts me badly. I read what the chess world had to say about African participation in World Cup China... they say we just come and collect money with a Bee-line of Zeros. How did Hichem play?" "GM Hamdouchi drew with Kasimdzanov!" I said. "That is good!" He concluded our brief talk as he is now dragged to a press conference and several interviews.

Watu has come back to the big world of chess with vengeance. He has played in many events and he even admits it now, never has he felt so responsible for how people think of his performance. He works extremely hard on his chess, wakes up in the middle of the night to it, speaks of disappointment in how Africa, Blacks do not see themselves as role models. Then he does not rejoice his achievements as if to say "So what?"

In the evening dinner we pass the FIDE official strong table, and my "good friend" GM Zurab Azmaiparashvilli seated between Mr. Campo & Mr. Omuku raises his fist in a familiar "Black-Power salute" as if to say "Amandla." Watu says to me in Zulu, "You see, can you imagine what they would say if we keep on losing?" Azmai was indeed one who inter-alia was quoted as saying "Africans equals Weakness." He drew against Radjabov, and yes the two Russians also drew leaving Watu with half a point tops of the pops!

Tomorrow he again plays Black against Radjabov! Watu relishes the thought of playing black again "Yeah, let's get Black off the way, this won't be easy though!" he quipped.

He had his face light up when I told he will be covered on The Chess Drum. He smiled and said, Now it's game on!!!

Cheers folks!!! Sorry I went on a bit, drop me a mail to hear what you think and hey... what about well wishes?

They may keep him going! jackiengubeni@yahoo.com.

Jackie Ngubeni reporting live from India, Hyderabad.