LAS VEGAS. Aug 7: Michael Krasenkow of Poland was the only top seed to run into deep trouble Friday in the first game of the third round of the World Chess Championship, reports

Vadim Zvjaginsev of Russia upset the eighth-seeded Krasenkow with the black pieces. Since white always moves first in chess, that colour has a significant advantage at this level. Now the Polish Grand Master must win with black in the second game of the round Saturday or go home.

Thirty-two of the original 100 players remain in the running for the 660.000 dollars first prize and the title of world champion in this seven-round knockout tournament. It will run through the month.

The event is sponsored by FIDE, the international chess federation. The International Olympic Committee recently recognized FIDE as the official governing body for chess.

Favourites who won with black were England’s Nigel Short over Alexander Beli-avsky of Slovenia and Alexei Fedorov of Belarus over Jan Timman of the Netherlands.

Short qualified to play a 1993 match for the title against the then-FIDE World Champion Gariy Kasparov. Unhappy with the financial conditions of the FIDE match, Kasparov split from FIDE and started his own organization. Short lost to Kasparov in that group's title match.

Kasparov, generally considered to be the strongest player in the world, still claims to be World Champion and refused to play here.

Fedorov took over the third seed in this event when FIDE's current champion, Anatoly Karpov of Russia, decided not to play. Karpov believes he has the right to play the tournament's winner for the title.

Three of the top seeds won with white Friday.

Alexei Shirov of Spain, the second seed, defeated No 50. Gilbert Milos of Brazil in a very tough fight. Midway through the game the outcome was very much in doubt.

Sixth-seed Vassily Ivanchuk of the Ukraine won over the tough Sergei Shipov of Russia, the 22nd seed.

Veselin Topolov of Bulgaria scored a quick win off Lev Psakhis of Israel.

Kiril Georgiev, the veteran Bulgarian star, pulled a mild upset, using the white pieces to best the seventh seed. Peter Svidler of Russia.

Top-seeded Boris Gelfand of Israel was held to a draw the 68 year-old Viktor Korchnoi of Switzerland. Korchnoi played matches for the world title against Karpov in 1978 and 1981. Karpov won both matches.

Judit : iPbJgar.’the strongest" women' player in the world, drew easily with black against Jordi Magem Badals of Spain.