LVP99081901 - 19 AUGUST 1999 - LAS VEGAS, NEVADA, USA: Alexander Khalifman of Russia, the 36th ranked chess player in the world, contemplates his next move against Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu of Romania in a semi-final round of the 1999 World Chess Championship. The winner of Wednesday's match plays Vladimir Akopian of Armenia for The World Chess Championship and $660,000 in first place money. The month-long World Chess Championship, which culminates 8/22S at Caesars Palace Hotel-Casino on the Las Vegas Strip, is sponsored by the World Chess Federation, known as FIDE. The total prize money is $3 million. CC/Brian Jones UPI