Hyderabad, Oct 15: Vishwanathan Anand has entered the quarter-finals of the chess World Cup here. Grandmaster K. Sasikiran found himself on the black side of destiny as he bowed out from the league phase of the chess World Cup at the Ramoji Film City here on Monday. His game had promised much more.

The drama started with Anand's draw with white pieces against Hichem Hamdouch. And when the Indian told the media that he was helpless despite being aware that the result could throw him out of the tournament, the suspense mounted.

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Now, Sasikiran only needed a draw with black pieces against Xu Jun of China, who had collected half a point till then. Anand may have mentally packed his bags for the second time.

This time, fate came to his rescue.

The Chinese GM decided to redeem his reputation and the result left Sasikiran crestfallen.

After all, he had 2.5 points from three rounds only to lose his way. He failed to finish in the top two.

The giant-killer has always done well as an underdog. The performance in the last two rounds has raised this haunting question again: "Can Sasikiran take burden of the favourite"?

It turned out to be a bitter-sweet day for India. S. Meenakshi came laughing for the game against Wang Pin of China with sister Vijayalakshmi. And after just six moves, they signed a peace treaty.

The big upsets include the exit of women's World Champion Zhu Chen (China), runner-up Alexandra Kosteniuk (Russia) and FIDE Championship runner-up Vassily Ivanchuk (Ukraine). World No. 20 Nigel Short surprised himself with a last eight berth.

Results (Round 5): Men: Group A: Vladimir Malakhov, Rus (3.5) bt Vassily Ivanchuk, Ukr (2); Giovanni Vescovi, Bra (3) drew Bartilomiej Macieja, Pol (3); Saidali Iuldachev, Uzb (0.5) lost to Ye Jiangchuan, Chn (3). Group B: Alex Yermolinsky, US (1.5) lost to Teimour Radjabov, Azr (3); Watu Kobese, RSA (1.5) drew Sergei Rublevsky, Rus (3); A Dreev, Rus (3.5) drew Z Azmaiparashvilli, Geo (2.5). Group C: Xu Jun, Chn (1.5) bt K Sasikiran, Ind (2.5); V. Anand, Ind (3) drew H Hamdouch, Mar (2.5); Rustam Kasimdzhanov, Uzb (3.5) bt Mohd Al-Modiahki, Qat (2). Group D: Jaan Ehlvest, Est (3.5) drew A Beliavsky, Slo (3.5); P Harikrishna, Ind (1.5) bt A Morozevich, Rus (1); N Short, Eng (3.5) bt SS Ganguly, Ind (2).

Women: Group A: S Mateeva, Rus (3.5) bt Viktorija Cmilyte, Ltu (2); Maia Chiburdanidze, Geo (2) drew Ekaterina Kovalevskaya, Rus (3); D. Harika, Ind (1.5) drew Li Ruofan, Chn (3). Group B: Swati Ghate, Ind (1.5) lost to Xu Junhua, Chn (3.5); Nino Khurtsidze, Geo (2) drew S. Vijayalakshmi, Ind (2); Pia Cramling, Swe (1.5) lost to Antoneta Stefanova, Bul (4.5). Group C: Bhagyashree Thipsay, Ind (0) lost to Alexandra Kosteniuk, Rus (3); Irina Krush, US (3.5) drew K. Humpy, Ind (4.5); Nana Iosliani, Geo (2) drew S Dianchenko, Rus (2). Group D: R. Aarthie, Ind (1.5) drew Pen Zhaoqin, Ned (1.5); Joanna Dworakowska, Pol (2.5) bt Zhu Chen, Chn (2.5); S. Meenakshi, Ind (3.5) drew Wang Pin, Chn (3.5). Bureau Report