'World Open' concludes in Philadelphia

The Russian GM Evgeny Najer (pictured) has won the 'World Open' event played between July 1-6 in Philadelphia.  The nine-round swiss tournament ended with four players tied for first place on 7/9.  Along with Najer they were, Parimarjan Negi of India, Lubomir Ftacnik of Slovakia, and Alexander Moiseenko of Ukraine.

Najer and Negi had the best tie-break scores and so played each other in a final Armageddon game, with Najer having to win with the White pieces (and having 7 minutes to Negi's 5), which he duly did.

Negi is a 15-year old prodigy from India, so perhaps the fact that the Armageddon match finished well past his bed-time - at around midnight - is a good excuse for his missing out at the final hurdle, despite good support from many Indians in the 100-strong audience at the Sheraton Hotel!

The four joint top scorers shared the $30,000 first prize and Najer bagged the title and an extra $400 for his Armageddon triumph.