American Grandmaster Gata Kamsky beat Spaniard Alexei Shirov in the second game in the final of the chess World Cup to inch closer towards the title.

Having drawn the first game, Kamsky, a finalist in the 1994 FIDE World Championship, is now just two draws away from a famous victory.

The knock-out event that started with 128 players has seen Kamksy emerging as the most consistent performer. The stakes are quite high as apart from the winner's purse of US $120,000 the victorious player is automatically included in the next World Championship cycle and plays a game with Veselin Topalov of Bulgaria in 2008.

The winner of this match will play a match between the winner of the match between Viswanathan Anand [Images] and Vladimir Kramnik of Russia [Images] to determine the 2009 World champion.

The second game was a very exciting affair with both the players going neck-and-neck. Playing white, Kamsky avoided principled theoretical duel with his third move leading to a Sicilian closed.

Shirov initiated complications, starting active operations on the kingside. Kamsky consumed a lot of time and reacted with cool-blooded exchanges, leading to an even ending.

Possibility of a draw did not excite Shirov, who continued attacking and over-pressed. All the black pieces went too far from his camp, while his king was left alone and in trouble. Kamksy was at his best in negotiating a tiring army and won in 37 moves.

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