idol," and "I told myself during the game not to play softly just because of my admiration for him." Zhang has said he had been an admirer of the Russian grandmaster since he was five years old. "It is still fresh in my memory that I read a chess book of Karpov by chance in 1985 which I liked very much," the 21-year-old said. "It lifted me to a higher level." "I was happy that I took on him in the first round." Zhang moved on to the next round to play Evgeny Pigusov of Russia but got whitewashed 2-0. In February 2002, Zhang came joint second with 6/8 (joint fourth on tie-break) at the 2nd Trignac International Tournament in France. In March 2002 he won the 9th 'Anilbal' International Open in Linares with 8/10. Also later in March 2002, he came second at the 25th Ciudad de San Sebastian with 5.5/8 after the winner Yu Shaoteng. In September 2002 he also became the Chinese national champion for the first time in Qinghuangdao. In May 2004, Zhang came second at the China Men's Team Championship with 8/10. In August–September 2004, he won the 6th Sants Hostafrancs A-Open with 8.5/10 in Barcelona after play-offs. In September 2004 he won the 14th Gros Xake Taldea International Open in San Sebastian, and in October 2004, won the Essent Open in Hoogeveen with 7/9. In December 2004, he came fourth with 6.0/9 at the Singapore Masters. In February 2005, Zhang won the Festival International des Jeux in Cannes with an almost perfect score of 8.5/9. In March 2005, he won the International Chess Festival in Bad Wörishofen with a score of 7.5/9. In May 2005, he came fourth at the Dubai Open, which was won by Wang Hao. In October 2005, he came joint second (third on tie-break) with 5/10 (2684 TPR +71) at the 2nd Samba Cup in Skanderborg. In November 2006 Zhang won the 1st President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo Cup in Manila by finishing in clear first with 7.5 points, and in December 2006, he won the Singapore Masters. In September 2007 he won the Asian Individual Championship ahead of second place compatriot Wang Hao in Manila. He scored 8/11 with an Elo rating performance of 2713. In April 2008, he came a clear second at the 2nd Ruy López International Chess Festival in Mérida, Spain with a score of 5/7 and