So scores 7th draw in a row

MANILA, Philippines — Wesley So posted his seventh straight draw as he split the point with fellow United States standout Fabiano Caruana in 30 moves of a Ruy Lopez to stay in the middle of the pack after seven rounds of the London Chess Classic in London, England Saturday night.

The draw pushed So in a three-man tie for fifth place with 3.5 points, a full point behind co-leaders Caruana and Russian Ian Nepomniachtchi, who seized a share of the lead by turning back Indian Vishwanathan Anand in 37 moves of a Gruenfeld, with 4.5 points apiece.

Reigning world champion Magnus Carlsen and French Maxime Vachier-Lagrave zoomed to a share of third by besting Michael Adams of England and Sergey Karjakin of Russia, respectively, with four points each.

After flirting with defeat and escaping with draws against Carlsen and 2017 World Cup titlist Levon Aronian of Armenia in the last two rounds, So, playing black, went for a safer, quieter line and that led to a series of exchanges and eventually a draw.