Gelfand in Trouble - Lack of Hat May Be Cause

Boris Gelfand is on the verge of losing his Candidates semifinal match to a resurgent Gata Kamsky--and experts are speculating that the absence of the Belarusian's trademark "flying squirrel" cap may be the reason.

Gelfand (shown below in the massive fur hat which many fans believe is the source of his power) lost the third game of the rapid phase of the match today, after failing to spot Kamsky's sharp tactical blow 16...c4!, which cost Gelfand a decisive amount of material.


Boris Gelfand, wearing his absurdly wide Minsk hat. "I sometimes have trouble walking through doorways," admits the World #15, "and must tilt my head 45 degrees to accomplish it."


Now in a critical "must win" situation, it will be interesting to see whether Gelfand wheels out the massive head-covering--which, at this point, may be his only hope.