Anand draws with Aronian; maintains sole lead]

Linares, Mar 8 (UNI) Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand played out a quick draw with Levon Aronian to maintain the sole lead with two more rounds to go in the Morelia-Linares Super Grandmasters chess tournament here.

Anand, who lost to the same opponent in the Morelia leg, signed peace after just 23 moves in the 12th round game.

Anand, at 7.5 points, is now half a point ahead of Magnus Carlsen (7). Peter Svidler, who finally got a win after 11 draws, over Peter Leko, is third with 6.5 points. Aronian is fourth with six points while Leko brings up the rear in the eight-man event.

It was a good day for blacks, as Peter Svidler defeated Leko for his first win in the tournament. Then Alexander Morozevich, also with black, beat Vassily Ivanchuk to join him in a tie for sixth.

The last two rounds will be played tomorrow and on Saturday.

Pairings for Round 13: Anand v Leko, Aronian v Ivanchuk; Morozevich v Topalov; Carlsen v Svidler Standings after Round 12: 1. Anand 7.5; 2. Carlsen 7.0; 3. Svidler 6.5; 4. Aronian 6.0; 5. Topalov, Ivanchuk and Morozevich 5.5; 8. Leko 4.5 UNI