Sasikiran settles for a draw, stays third at Mtel Masters

Sofia, May 15 (UNI) Indian Grandmaster Krishnan Sasikiran manoeuvred his troops well to split points with Romanian GM Liviu Dieter Nisipeanu in the fifth round to hang on to his joint third position at the Mtel Masters here.

Playing with disadvantageous black pieces, Sasikiran seemed determined to bounce back from his fourth round loss to Veselin Topalov.

He replied with d5 to Nisipeanu's Nf3 opening. Sasikiran played a systematic game and castled his king to occupy the center squares.

However, Nisipeanu defended himself and both the players, realising that the game is heading towards a draw, decided to split points after 27 moves.

In an exclusive Interview to UNI, Sasikiran said, ''There was nothing in the game despite the fact that not many pieces were exchanged.'' On being asked about his performance after the end of the first half of the tournament Sasikiran replied, ''I am satisfied with my score at Mtel Masters except that yesterday I failed to give a fight to Topalov and lost the game.'' At halfway stage, Sasikiran has accumulated 2.5 points in five rounds with three draws and a win. He is a full point behind Azerbaijan GM Shakriyar Mamedyarov, who consolidated his lead at the top after a draw with Michael Adams. Adams stayed second with three points.

Meanwhile, the game between defending Champion Veselin Topalov and American Grandmaster Gata Kamsky was played on King Indian variation. The calm opening, full of tactical tricks, was followed by multiple exchanges. The draw was the logical outcome of the game.

Both players express their hope to improve their performance after the rest day today.

Standing after Round 5 1. Shakhriyar Mamedyarov (3.5), 2. Michael Adams (3), 3. Krishnan Sasikiran (2.5), 4. L D Nisipeanu (2.5), 5. Veselin Topalov (2), 6.

Gata Kamsky (1.5) Pairing Round 6 to be played on May 16: Liviu Dieter Nisipeanu vs Veselin Topalov Krishnan Sasikiran vs Michael Adams Gata Kamsky vs Mamedyarov UNI