Gallagher wins Goodricke chess

Joseph Gallaghar of Switzerland emerged champion in the Goodricke International Open chess tournament at the Alekhine Chess club, in Calcutta, on Friday.

The highly talented Gallaghar and overnight leader Andrei Kharlov both scored eight points but Gallaghar was declared the champion on a better tie-break.

The Median Buccholz system of tie-breaking was applied for the first time in this meet. Gallaghar, who had seven points to his credit after the tenth round on Thursday, played a brilliant game as he forced his rival Alexie Barsov into a mating net in a King's Indian defence.

On the top board, Andrei Kharlov of Russia agreed to a quick draw in six moves against Evgeny Vladimirov of Kazakhstan to finish on eight points.

On the second board also, Eshan Ghaem Maghami and Maxim Sorokin decided to play safe and signed peace treaty in a few moves in a Reti Opening.

India's Sandipan Chanda refused the draw offer of Ziaur Rahman of Bangladesh and the two players decided to fight it out among themselves. In a centre counter defence, Chanda obtained two Bishops but spoilt his position in the middle game.

Rahman had an extra pawn but Chanda had some compensation in the form of two Bishops.

In the sudden death, Rahman had Queen and three pawns against Chanda's Queen and two pawns. Chanda defended correctly inspite of being in severe time pressure and drew the game.