Ivanchuk survived big scare, leads by full point

Ivanchuk held on for a draw against Ponomariov to extend his lead to a full point heading into the final round. After scoring his first win four rounds ago, Mamedyarov lost 3 straight.

Round 8 results:

Ponomariov, Ruslan – Ivanchuk, Vassily ½-½
Morozevich, Alexander – Kamsky, Gata 0-1
Kramnik, Vladimir – Alekseev, Evgeny 1-0
Leko, Peter – Gelfand, Boris ½-½
Shirov, Alexei – Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar 1-0

Standings after 8 rounds:

1. Ivanchuk, Vassily g UKR 2781 5½

2. Morozevich, Alexander g RUS 2788 4½
3. Gelfand, Boris g ISR 2720 4½
4. Kramnik, Vladimir g RUS 2788 4½
5. Ponomariov, Ruslan g UKR 2718 4½

6. Leko, Peter g HUN 2741 4

7. Alekseev, Evgeny g RUS 2708 3½
8. Kamsky, Gata g USA 2723 3½

9. Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar g AZE 2742 3

10. Shirov, Alexei g ESP 2741 2½