Anand stays way back

Karpov also has finished his game after a draw with Judit Polgar of Hungary in 29 moves from a Caro-Kann.

Adams has six points and he can be caught by Kramnik, who still has his last round game against Veselin Topalov Bulgaria to be played. If Kramnik wins, he has a better tie-score and Adams would only be a joint first on points.

India8217;s Viswanathan Anand continued to be winless and is now ninth among the ten players in what clearly is his worst result in recent memory. Pitted against Spaniard Miguel Illescas, Anand was held to a draw.

Anand accepted the queen8217;s gambit and seemed to have a slight advantage, but he himself offered a draw after 25 moves and theSpaniard readily accepted. Clearly, Anand wants this tournament to get over so that he can get some badly-needed rest.

Anand would be the biggest loser in terms of ELO points 8212; between 15 and 20.

RESULTS

8th round: Adams drew with Kramnik, Illescas drew with Anand, Topalov drew with Korchnoi, Gelfand lost to Svilder, Polgar drew with Karpov.

Points

1. Adams 6.0/9; 2. Kramnik 5.O/8; 3. Illescas 4.5/8; 4. Topalov 4.5/8; 5. Karpov 4.5/9; 6. Gelfand 4.0/8; 7. Svidler 3.5/8; 8. Korchnoi 3.5/8; 9. Anand 3.0/8; 10. Polgar 2.5/8.