Sasikiran wins AICF Open title

Indian Grandmaster Krishnan Sasikiran clinched the title at the AICF's Golden Jubilee International Open chess tournament in Kozhikode on Tuesday.

The Indian and Tahir Vakhidov of Uzbekistan were tied for the first place with eight points each after the conclusion of the final round, but Sasikiran's better progressive score gave him the title.

Sasikiran drew his final-round game against India's youngest Grandmaster Pendyala Harikrishna in an interesting battle that arose from an English Opening after 44 moves.

Overnight joint leader Ehsan Maghani of Iran lost his game against Maxim Sarokin of Argentina in the English-opening classical variation. If he had, the Iranian would've moved to 8.5 points.

Instead of winning the exchange on the 26th move, Ehsan calculated wrongly, thus helping Sarokin a protected passer which turned the game into his favour.

Takhir Vakhidov, who shared the prize-money with Sasikiran for the top honours, defeated Andrey Shariyazdanov of Russia in the Grunfed defence. Queens were exchanged early where Takhidov won a pawn and forced Shariyazdanov to resign in just 30 moves.

GMs Vladimirov, lyssenko and Thipsay outwitted their opponents WGM Vijayalakshmi, Visweswaran and K Humpy respectively and tied for the 3rd to 8th places.

Final places:
1. Krishnan Sashikiran - 8 points
2. Tahir Vakhidov - 8 points
3. Ehsan Maghami - 7.5 points
4. Pendyala Harikrishna - 7.5
5. Evgeny Vladimirov - 7.5
6. Maxim Sorokin - 7.5
7. Alexander Lyssenko - 7.5
8. Pravin Thipsay - 7.5.
9. Marat Dzhumaev - 7 points
10. Dinesh Kumar Sharma - 7 points

Earlier reports:
Sasikiran wins to stay ahead
Sasikiran bounces back to share lead
Kunte takes match and lead
Sasikiran wins, keeps lead
Sasikiran emerges sole leader