Viswanathan Anand failed to dislodge leader Veselin Topalov in the ninth round and was forced to take a draw in just 17 moves of their game in the FIDE World Chess Championships in San Luis, Argentina.
The draw meant that Topalov is still on top with a two-point lead over Peter Svidler.
The Indian ace has five points after nine rounds and is lying tied third while Topalov is on top with 7.5, with Svidler second at 5.5. Alexander Morozevich continued his winning run with a third win in a row, beating Peter Leko. That helped Morozevich to five points and a share of third place with Anand.
Topalov played a Berlin Defence in the Ruy Lopez against Anand. The Indian ace sacrificed a knight on g5 and then when he could not find a good attacking line, he was forced into a repetition of moves and the point was split in 17 moves.
Judit Polgar had to be content with a draw against Michael Adams in a Marshall Attack in 37 moves, while Svidler played a spectacular fighting game against Rustam Kasimdzhanov, which ended in a 34-move draw in a Sicilian Najdorf.
The last game to end was Morozevich against Leko, in which the Russian continued his winning streak with a 54-move victory.
Pairings for Round 10: Adams v Anand; Kasimdzhanov v Polgar; Leko v Svidler; Topalov v Morozevich
Results of Round 9: Morozevich beat Leko; Anand drew with Topalov; Polgar drew with Adams; Svidler drew with Kasimdzhanov
Standings after Round 9:
1. Topalov 7.5
2. Svidler 5.5
3. Anand and Morozevich 5.0
5. Leko 4.0
6. Kasimdzhanov 3.5
7. Adams 3.0
8. Polgar 2.5
The moves: Anand v Topalov - Round 9
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Nf6 4. d3 Bc5 5. c3 O-O 6. Bg5 h6 7. Bh4 g5 8. Bg3 d6 9. Nbd2 a6 10. Bxc6 bxc6 11. O-O Ba7 12. d4 g4 13. Bh4 gxf3 14. Qxf3 Kg7 15. Qg3+ Kh7 16. Qf3 Kg7 17. Qg3+ 1/2-1/2