Wijk aan Zee (The Netherlands), Jan 25 (IANS): India's grandmaster Pentala Harikrishna played out a thrilling draw against Russia's Ian Nepomniachtchi in the ninth round to stay eighth in the Tata Steel Chess tournament.

The World No.11 was engaged in a gruelling battle that lasted for more than two hours to rescue half a point here on Tuesday. He now has a total tally of 4.5 points with four more rounds to play.

Harikrishna, starting in black found himself in trouble initially and it looked like his Russian opponent would run away with the game without facing much of a challenge.

But Ian made a few mistakes in the match and Harikrishna capitalised on them to sneak away with a draw.

"Ian was in a clear position to win. But he made a few crucial mistakes which helped me in surviving today," Harikrishna said after the match.

The Indian star, with a rating of 2770, has won one, drew seven while losing one game in the campaign so far.

Harikrishna will now take on world champion Carlsen Magnus in his next round.