The other six places in the quarter-finals of this $3 million mega event will be decided on fast-paced tie-breakers on Thursday morning IST.

Grandmaster Shirov, who was 3/1 joint favourite alongwith top seeded Vladimir Kramnik of Russia after his win over Short yesterday, claimed he did not have time to visit the Casinos in Las Vegas. ``Shirov need not visit the gambling halls,'' remarked one of the Grandmasters. ``He takes enough chances over the board and they pay handsomely too.''

The tall, well-built second seed had never lost to Short in his career after 10 encounters. He was unfazed after desperate Shortsprung the King's gambit-one of the ancient, ultra-sharp opening against his first move. Shirov, who never shies away from challenge, employed the most violent line to counter Short's attack. Incidentally, it was the same line played by Bobby Fischer against Boris Spassky 32 years ago.

Top-seeded Kramnik was forced into a tie-breaker and only one player was able to win in the fourth round. Vladimir Akopian of Armenia, the 31st seed, defeated Bulgarian Grandmaster Kiril Georgiev, seeded 23rd, in an end-game that lasted 90 moves yesterday.

Kramnik tied against Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria while sixth-seeded Vassily Ivanchuk of Ukraine tied against Liviu Nisipeanu of Romania.

Judit Polgar of Hungary, the only woman remaining in the tournament, was on the verge of elimination in her game with Russia's Vadim Zvjaginsev. Polgar was forced to sacrifice a bishop but her counterattack forced the Russian to give up a piece of his own. The game was drawn.

The youngest player, Sergei Movsesian, 20, of the CzechRepublic, managed a draw against Alexei Fedorov of Belarus, the third seed. Fedorov gained an early advantage and Movsesian was forced to give up his queen for only a rook and knight.

Fedorov was winning handily but played poorly. Movsesian, the 27th seed, was able to build a fortress and salvage the draw.

The other four games each ended in 30 moves or less. England's Michael Adams, the fifth seed, played an uneventful draw against Alexei Dreev of Russia. Israel's Boris Gelfand did the same against Alexander Khalifman of Russia.

Results (second game of round 4): Kramnik drew with Topalov (tied 1-1), Dreev drew with Adams (tied 1-1), Fedorov drew with Movsesian (tied 1-1), Akopian bt Georgiev (Akopian advances 1.5-0.5), Zvjaginsev drew Polgar (tied 1-1), Gelfand drew Khalifman (tied 1-1), Ivanchuk drew Nisipeanu (tied 1-1), Short drew Shirov (Shirov won first game, advances 1.5-0.5).