Viswanathan Anand was held to a draw by tournament leader Gata Kamsky in the eighth round of the Mtel Masters chess on Friday.
SOFIA (Bulgaria): Viswanathan Anand was held to a draw by tournament leader Gata Kamsky of the United States in the eighth round of the Mtel Masters chess here on Friday.
The peace result did not help Anand's cause to catch up with Kamksy as the Russia born American kept the Indian ace at a full point distance after the truce was signed.
In other games of the day former Russian Champion Peter Svidler was also held to a draw by Etienne Bacrot of France, while in the clash of World Champions reigning world number
one Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria triumphed against former champion Ruslan Ponomariov of Ukraine in the last game of the day.
Kamsky's super cruise in the elite event continued with the draw against Anand.
With two rounds remaining in the category 20
Tournament, Kamksy took his tally to an enviable 5.5 points and mostly two draws in the last two rounds should ensure a maiden victory after his comeback to competitive chess.
In the next two rounds, lowest ranked here, Kamsky has to meet two tough customers in Svidler and Topalov but given his form, and a full point lead to back him at this stage, the American is the favourite for the title.
Topalov joined Anand on the second spot on 4.5 points after a fine victory over Ponomariov who slipped to the last spot again with 2.5 points in his bag.
The fourth place is held by Svidler on four points while Bacrot stands fifth on three points.
Playing black against Kamsky, Anand played a solid game right through.
This year, Anand lost two games against Kamsky (including one in this event) and this was reason enough for the Indian to take things easy, especially with the slightly unfavourable colour of the game.
It was a Ruy Lopez exchange variation by Kamksy and Anand had little troubles in securing the balance after the queens got traded early in the opening.
Kamksy came out with a miniscule advantage in the resulting position thanks to his slightly better placed pieces but Anand neutralized the white's initiative with counter attack on the queen side.
With further exchanges Anand entered a drawn rook and pawns endgame and the players agreed to split the point after 39 moves.
Results round 8
Gata Kamsky (USA, 5.5) drew with Viswanathan Anand (India, 4.5); Peter Svidler (Russia, 4) drew with Etienne Bacrot (France, 3); Veselin Topalov (Bulgarie, 4.5) beat Ruslan Ponomariov (Ukraine, 2.5).
Standings after round 7
1. Kamsky 5.5
2-3. Anand, Topalov 4.5 each
4. Svidler 4
5. Bacrot 3
6. Ponomariov 2.5.
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