Anand, Karpov split point

WIJK AAN ZEE, Jan 26: Grand Master Viswanathan Anand was held to a draw by FIDE world champion Anatoly Karpov after the Indian was in a better position to take the game in the eighth round of the Hoogovens Grand Masters chess tournament, reports PTI.

Karpov, who retained his world chess crown beating Anand in Lausanne earlier this month gave a fighting display to share the point, much to the disappointment of chess fans who hoped for a revenge from the Indian.

Despite drawing Karpov, the world number 3 Anand with 5.5 points maintained his lead in the tournament, which still has five more rounds to go.

The only win of the day was registered by Dutch player Jan Timman, who defeated the British Grand Master Michael Adams in 56 moves.

The remaining six games ended in draws here last night with Vladimir Kramnik of Russia, Valery Salov and Timman, all with 5 points each maintaining the second spot.

The world number 2 Kramnik drew with Salov, to end his third game in a draw, after making a brilliant start of the tournament by winning his first four games.