Armenian GM Levon Aronian drew with Boris Gelfand in the ninth round of Linares chess tournament in Spain.

Alexander Grischuk defeated Veselin Topalov, and Vugar Gashimov drew with Francisco Vallejo.

After the ninth round the standings are as follows: Veselin Topalov and Alexander Grischuk (5.5 points each), Levon Aronian (4.5).

February 24, Levon Aronian will face Azerbaijani Vugar Gashimov in the final round of the tournament.

L.A.