Tournament leader Gata Kamsky held Viswanathan Anand to a draw in the eighth round of the Mtel Masters at Sofia on Friday to inch closer to the title. 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. In the clash of the World Champions, reigning world number one Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria came out triumph against former champion Ruslan Ponomariov of Ukraine in the last game to end in the day. Kamsky's super cruise in the elite event continued with the draw against Anand. With just two rounds remaining in the category-20 tournament Kamksy took his tally to an enviable 5.5 points. Two more draws in the last two rounds should ensure a maiden victory for the lowest-ranked Kamsky after his comeback to competitive chess. In next two rounds Kamsky will take on Svidler and Topalov. Topalov joined Anand on the second spot on 4.5 points after a fine victory over Ponomariov who slipped to the last spot yet again with 2.5 points in his bag. (PTI)
Kamsky holds Anand in Mtel Masters
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