Sasikiran signs peace with Nisipeanu, still maintains lead

Sofia, May 20 (UNI) Indian Grandmaster Krishnan Sasikiran had to split points with Liviu Dieter Nisipeanu of Romania in the ninth round of the Mtel Masters here, but still continues to top the points table by just half a point over his nearest four rivals.

Playing with white pieces, Sasikiran opened his game with Nf3 while his opponent opted for c5 and the game later turned in to Sicilian Accelerated Maroczy Bind variation.

Early in the game, both the players castled and prepared for their fight, but Sasikiran, who is the lowest ranked player in the tournament, gradually built up advantage and launched attack on Nisipeanu's castled king with his rook and queen.

The end game resulted in a fierce battle between the Indian and his opponent. At one point of time, Sasi had a good advantage in the game. But Nisipeanu found his right moves and kept on exchanging pieces.

At the end of the 42nd move, both the players realised that in no way any one of them could register a win and opted to sign the peace treaty.

Speaking to UNI after the game, Sasikiran, the second best Indian chess plaer after Vishwanathan Anand, said, ''I think both of us played a good game. I had the advantage probably had I played right Queen move the result could have been in my favour.'' Meanwhile, all the other games of the day eneded in no result, as Azerbaijanian Grandmaster Shakriyar Mamedyarov drew his game with Michael Adams of England, while crowd favourite Vaselin Topalov also had to console himself with a draw against Gata Kamsky of United States.

Speaking to UNI after his drwan game, Topalov who plays Sasikiran in the last leg of the tournament, said, ''I am sure it will be a very interesting game. It will probably a decisive game of the event. I don't remember any such situation where anyone can win.

Though I have white pieces but I have not won any single match with white in this tournament. Anyhow I will put pressure on Sasikiran for a win.'' With one round to go, every player has a chance to grab the the title as just half point seperates the leader Sasikiran (5 points) with the nearest four.

Standing after Round Eight: Krishnan Sasikiran (5 points), S Mamedyarov, Liviu Dieter Nisipeanu, Veselin Topalov, Gata Kamsky (4.5 points), Michael Adams (4 points).

Round 10 pairing: Veselin Topalov vs Krishnan Sasikiran Liviu Dieter Nisipeanu vs S Mamedyarov Michael Adams vs Gata Kamsky UNI