Top seed Aleksandrov bags Mayor`s Cup title

Mumbai: Top seed Aleksej Aleksandrov of Belarus emerged champion in the 4th Mayor`s Cup International Chess Tournament by agreeing to a quick draw with India`s Deep Sengupta in the 11th and final round on Saturday.

GM Aleksandrov (ELO 2657) and his Indian rival (ELO 2572) agreed to share points after just 8 moves in the tournament organised by Venus chess Academy and co-sponsored by LIC at the Goregaon Sports Club which was enough for the Belarussian to clinch the crown. Going into the last round Aleksandrov held a lead of one point over GM Martyn Kravtsiv of Ukraine, seeded second, and needed just a draw which he achieved without a fuss with white pieces. Kravtsiv finished second by outsmarting Ziaur Rehman of Bangladesh in just 28 moves. The game was equally poised with both the players fighting for control over the open `c` file. In the end game, the Ukrainian GM outplayed Ziaur. The tournament saw six players gain norms. IM P Shyam Nikhil got his maiden GM norm and WIM Bhagyashri Thipsay secured her maiden WGM norm among them. PTI