All four previous games at the Fulton Market Building had ended in stalemate, with Norway's defending champion Magnus Carlsen failing to convert dominant positions in matches three and four.

The roles were reversed today but after more than five hours of play the result was another draw.

It means that the 12-game series is now level at 2½-2½ as proceedings reach the halfway point.

Some complacent play by Carlsen allowed Karjakin a strong position, but the Russian could not take advantage against the worried Norwegian.

A key moment came when Karjakin, playing with black, missed the opportunity to place his opponent in big trouble, instead opting for another move.

He admitted afterwards that "he missed how potent that move was".

It meant that the players were forced to agree to a draw after 51 moves.

This was the first time the Russian had his opponent in difficulty during the World Championship and has set the scene perfectly for game six tomorrow.

The event is taking place without World Chess Federation (FIDE) President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov after the Russian was forced to miss out because he was refused a visa to the United States.

He was added to a sanctions list by the US Department of Treasury last November, after officials claimed he had been "materially assisting and acting for or on behalf of the Government of Syria, Central Bank of Syria".

Ilyumzhinov denies the claims.