Sulskis wins Goodricke Open chess title

Grandmaster Sarunas Sulskis of Lithuania annexed the 13th Goodricke International Open chess title, totalling 8.5 points, at Alekhine Chess Club in Kolkata on Wednesday.

Needing only half a point to clinch the first spot, Sulskis agreed to a draw against GM Alexey Kuzmin of Russia in 26 moves in the exchange variation of the Queen's Gambit Declined.

Grandmaster Krishnan Sasikiran of India scored a fluent victory over GM Andrey Shariyazdanov of Russia in 40 moves to take his tally to eight points and place a clear second.

This was the best performance by an Indian in 13 years of the tournament.

The only other Indian who figured in the prize list this year was GM Dibyendu Barua, who was placed 15th.

There was a five-way tie for the third to seventh places, but Alexey Kuzmin was placed third on a better tie-break score.

Servei Ovesejevitch of Ukrine drew with Drazen Sermek of Slovenia and was placed fourth.

The fifth, sixth and seventh places went to Eshan Ghaem Maghami of Iran, Drazen Sermek and Ruslan Sherbakov of Russia respectively.

Prize winners:
1. Sulskis Sarunas (Lithuania) 8.5 points; $2,430
2. Sasikiran Krishnan (India) 8; Rs 85,750
3. Kuzmin Alexey (Russia) 7; $747
4. Ovsejevitsch Sergey (Ukraine) 7; $747
5. Ghaem Maghamiehsan (Iran) 7; $747
6. Sermek Drazen (Slovenia) 7; $747
7. Sherbakov Ruslan (Russia) 7; 747
8. Sheriyazdanov Andrey (Russia) 6.5; $213
9. Fominyh Alexander (Russia) 6.5; $213
10. Goloshchapov Alexander (Ukraine) 6.5; $213
11. Kotsur Pavel (Kazakhstan) 6.5; $213
12. Aleksandrov Aleksej Belarus 6.5; $213
13. Sorokin Maxim Argentina 6.5; $213
14. Motylev Alexander (Russia) 6.5; $213
15. Barua Dibyendu (India) 6.5; Rs 11,600