Fifth-seeded Michael Adams (England) drew with Armenia's Vladimir Akopian in only 16 moves yesterday. Liviu Nisipeanu and Alexander Khalifman agreed to a draw after 28 moves.

Adams, who lost the first game on Sunday, had said he was tired after playing for seven straight days. He now must win at least one of the next two games if he is to reach the finals.

If a match is tied after four games, tie-breaker sets will be held on Thursday.

Akopian and Adams have similar histories. Both are now 27 and were considered prodigies in their youth.

Adams became a Grandmaster and won the British Championship at 17. He made it to the semi-finals in 1997 at the initial knock-out World Championship in the Netherlands. Here he has played steady chess and became the favorite by upsetting the top seed, Vladimir Kramnik (Russia), in roundfive.

Akopian was world junior champion in the under-16, under-18, and under-20 divisions. He has become a strong Grandmaster, but has not been able to imitate Adams and make it to the very top echelon

Nisipeanu's success here was totally unexpected, even Tohim. He is little known outside of his native Romania and was seeded 46th. Before this tournament, the 23-year-old had had few opportunities to play against the game's elite, and had never beaten any of them. Here Nisipeanu has eliminated three of the top 15 players.