Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand took a decisive step towards his second big title of the year after drawing with Ruslan Ponomariov of Ukraine in the fifth and penultimate round of the Final Masters here today.
After crushing Francisco Vallejo Pons of Spain in the fourth round, Anand cemented his position at the top, taking his tally to an unassailable 11 points.
For a clear victory, the Indian ace is just a draw away in the final round.
Levon Aronian of Armenia remained within striking distance of Anand, following another draw with Vallejo Pons in the fifth round and took his tally to eight points.
Ponomariov, on five points, is third and Vallejo holds the last spot with two points.
The last round will be crucial for Anand when he takes on Aronian who will have the advantage of playing white. The Armenian desperately needs a victory to level scores with Anand while a draw will take Anand to a clear first.
If it comes, this will be Anand's second biggest tournament victory of the year after the Indian won the Candidates Tournament to earn the right to challenge Magnus Carlsen in the World Championships Match.
The three victories thus far will also certainly serve as a morale booster for the match against Carlsen to be played in November.
Ponomariov obtained an optical advantage against Anand out of a Ragozine defense game where the Indian played with black pieces. Anand had scored an important victory in the tournament against Pons earlier using this opening and Ponomariov, though better prepared, found it a hard nut to crack.
