With only four more rounds left, a win for Anand would throw open the tournament and Kasparov would also need to play Russian Vladimir Kramnik (4.5) in the last round.

While even a draw against Anand would virtually assure Kasparov of the title, barring some unexpected result like the one against Ivan Sokolov in the ninth round where Kasparov was beaten.

There are not too many players in international chess who can boast of a win over Kasparov in regulation play. Of course Anand is one of them, but Sokolov who has had a sub-par tournament struck most unexpectedly.

It was the most stunning result, something like his loss to Peter Svidler in the Tilburg tournament in October 1997.

Interestingly in the last three rounds after the tenth, Anand's opponents are Loek Van Wely (4), Alex Yermolinsky (3) and VesselinTopalov (4.5). Against Van Wely and Topalov the Indian has white. On the other hand, Kasparov has to face Jan Timman (4.5), Svidler and Kramnik. So in terms of the last three rounds, Anand is up against comparatively easier opposition.

Sasikiran fancies norm

UBEDA (Spain): International Master Krishnan Sasikiran held Grandmaster O Tiviakov to a draw to brighten his chances of a GM norm in the eighth round of the 4th Ciudad de Ubeda International Chess here yesterday.

GM Konstantin Landa maintained his sole lead with 7.5 points following his win over Bacerra Rivero.

Sasikiran (5.5 pts) kept his GM norm chances alive after drawing with Tiviakov. Sasikiran adopted Archangel set up against Tiviakov's Ruy Lopez and employed the qe2 variation in the fifth move. The Indian got a slight edge in the middlegame which he maintained till the endgame. But he failed to capitalise on the advantage and agreed to a draw.

IM V Saravanan (5) defeated GM Ricardi of Argentina. Other Indians D V Prasad,R B Ramesh, P Konguvel and C S Gokhale (all 4.5) drew their games.

Gokhale's IM norm chances will depend upon his next round opponent for he has to increase his average category.

Abhijit Kunte (4) drew his game against Piankov in Sicilian Alapin variation.

IWM S Vijayalakshmi (4) defeated Pallavi Shah (3) in Bishop's opening. Pallavi was having an edge in the opening but therafter played carelessly to lose the game. Mrunalini Kunte drew her game to log 3.5 points.