Nisipeanu meets second seeded Alexy Shirov who became a hot favourite with 2-1 odds with the official bookies in Las Vegas.

Judith Polgar knocked out Russian Grandmaster Vadim Zviaginsev in both the games of tie-breakers. The Hungarian girl will take on another Russian -- Alexander Khalifman -- who scored a surprising win over former world championship candidate Boris Gelfand (Israel) in this $<\!q>3 million event.

Nisipeanu let Ivanchuk off the hook after the latter misplayed the white pieces and could draw the game after great efforts in 22 moves of English opening. Ivanchuk played listlessly in the next game and captured a pawn on his 13th move without realising that it was supported by the white queen. He got up immediately and left the hallwithout a word.

Grandmaster Sairawan of US said such blunders are rare at such a high level. Moreover, Ivanchuk had thought for long before capturing the pawn. This win has assured Nisipeanu of $<\!q>69,120 (Rs 30 lakh).

Polgar was the only player with a convincing victory in the tie-breakers. With only 25 minutes to play the entire game, Polgar went for Kings' Indian defence. Zviaginsev could not cope up with Polgar's queenside assault interspersed with raids on the white king. He was helpless against Polgar's centre pawn and resigned after 41 moves. Polgar beat him comfortably from the white pieces to make it 2-0.

Top-seeded Vladimir Kramnik was lucky to beat Vaselin Topalov. In the first game, Kramnik was handed over the win on platter by Topalov's blunder after the former had failed to gain any significant advantage in the queen's gambit accepted. The Bulgarian Grandmaster must be very disappointed by this loss because in the next game, he missed a win when he took his king wrong square and allowedKramnik to checkmate him immediately.

Topalov was shivering violently after playing the wrong move on his 39th turn and left the hall in a rage after resigning the game.

Results of playoffs (fourth round): Kramnik bt Topalov, Adams bt Dreev, Polgar bt Zviaginsev, Khalifman bt Gelfand, Nisipeanu bt Ivanchuk, Movsezian bt Fedorov.

Quarter-final line-up: Kraminik v/s Adams, Movsezian v/s Akopian, Golgar v/s Khalifman, Nisipeanu v/s Shirov.