Viswanathan Anand [Images] played a very short draw with Israeli Grandmaster Boris Gelfand and kept his half a point lead intact in the World Chess Championship in Mexico City.

In the eighth round on Friday, Gelfand, with white, may have entertained some thoughts of upsetting the Indian Grandmaster when there was chance in the Catalan opening, but it was soon neutralised by Anand, who has undoubtedly become the sentimental favourite of Mexican chess fans.

In a short, 20 moves, game, Anand decided to get out of the cramped position (13th move) and play freely, but quickly realised that it was not right time as Gelfand kept on developing the pieces and got a small advantage. But there was nothing much for the Israeli Grandmaster as well as Anand, and it eventually prompted both players to settle for a draw.

Speaking after the game, Anand said, ''I was able to use a new idea that I had worked with in May with Sandipan [Chanda] and it was a sort of surprise; it was not a complete novelty, but it is a rare move.

"I am happy that I was able to equalise and finish it in 20 moves.''

After a days rest, the Indian ace will have white pieces against Armenian Grandmaster Levon Aronian in the ninth round of the tournament.

Meanwhile, two other games of the eighth round -- between Peter Svidler and Vladimir Kramnik, and Alexander Morozevich and Levon Aronian -- also ended in tame draws.

However, the last game of the round saw Peter Leko clinching his first victory of the tournament against Alexander Grischuk in a long battle that lasted over 60 moves.

Standings after Round Eight: 1. Viswanathan Anand (5.5 points) 2. Boris Gelfand (5 points) 3. Vladimir Kramnik (4.5 points) 4. Peter Leko (4 points) 5-6. Alexander Grischuk, Levon Aronian (3.5 points) 7-8. Peter Svidler, Alexander Morozevich (3 points).

Round nine pairings, to be played on September 23: Viswanathan Anand vs Levon Aronian Alexander Morozevich vs Vladimir Kramnik Peter Leko vs Peter Svidler Alexander Grischuk vs Boris Gelfand.

• Complete chess coverage