So settles for draw anew

MANILA, Philippines -- Grandmaster Wesley So was held to a second straight draw, this time by American GM Irina Krush in 80 moves of an English Opening to trail Ukrainian GM Vassily Ivanchuk by a full point going into the final round of the 9th Edmonton International in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada on Sunday.

A day after failing to convert a pawn advantage and settle for a marathon 109-move  standoff with Canadian FIDE Master Vladmir Pechenkin the day before, So couldn't come through again against the aggressive Krush to fall to another deadlock.

Ivanchuk, seeded second, in contrast, downed Canadian International Master Richard Wang to turn his half a point lead to a full point with 7.5 points after the eighth and penultimate round against the top-seeded So's 6.5 points.

So, 20, will need to beat Canadian FM Dan Hassael in today's final round and hope Ivanchuk, a former World Challenger, loses to American GM Samuel Shankland to forge a two-way tie at the helm.

The draw also sent So crashing from No. 15 in the world to No. 16 in the live ratings.

The Webster U standout was at No. 12 in the world when he seized the lead several days back but went sliding down the ladder following the pair of draws.

So zoomed to No. 15 in the world on the strength of his Capablanca Memorial victory in Cuba last month.

But here where he has the highest rating and with only Ivanchuk is the real threat, he is in danger of losing rating points with draws like the last two.