Anand, plumbing the depths with Svidler and Hungary's Judit Polgar with 1.5 points after losing two of his five games so far, was error-prone against Svidler but escaped with half a point yesterday, in a 69-move game, which looked like going his opponent's way.

Kramnik, the world number three behind Gary Kasparov and Anand, scored a win over Miguel Illescas to join Adams at the top with 3.5 points. On the top table, Adams was held to a draw by Boris Gelfand of Belarus.

Anand, who had a brilliant season last year winning seven major titles and the coveted chess Oscar, is struggling to win his first title this season.

The Indian made several errors against Svidler in the Ruy Lopez game which, after 11 moves, resembled the AnatolyKarpov-Viktor Korchnoi game in the 1978 Philippines World title clash.

Svidler failed to find the right line, however, around the 37th move he seemed to have taken the upper hand. But Anand defended well and by the 61st move, succeeded in taking the game close to a draw.

Yet, when the players agreed to a draw after 69 moves, it seemed Svidler still could have won the game.

Results

Svidler (Rus) drew with Anand (Ind), Polgar (Hun) lost to Topalov (Bul), Adams (Eng) drew with Gelfand (Blr), Kramnik (Rus) bt Illescas (Esp), Karpov (Rus) drew with Korchnoi (Swz).

Standings after five rounds: Adams and Kramnik (3.5), Karpov and Topalov (3), Illescas (2.5), Gelfand and Korchnoi (2 points from four rounds), Anand, Svidler and Polgar (1.5).