So draws Kramnik, stay in race

MANILA, Philippines — Wesley So held former world champion Vladimir Kramnik Russia in 28 moves of a Queen’s Pawn Game to stay in the hunt after eight rounds of the Tata Chess Steel Masters 2018 in Wijk aan Zee, the Netherlands Sunday.

So and Kramnik, the world champion from 2000 to 2007, tried to outwit each other in a sacrificial battle, offering pieces which both, however, declined. With no one giving in, they decided to split the point with six pawns and a bishop each.

The standoff hiked So and Kramnik’s totals to five points, half-a-point behind the lead pack of Dutch Anish Giri, reigning world champion Magnus Carlsen and former solo leader Shakhriyar Mamedyarov of Azerbaijan.

Carlsen downed English Gawain Jones while Giri trounced Mamedyarov in a pair of slam-bang duels.

It was another solid performance for So, who remained unbeaten with two wins and six draws.