A victory in his last match enabled former world junior chess champion Pendyala Harikrishna of India to clinch a share of top place with Israel?s Boris Gelfand at the International Invitational Chess Tournament at Fourways Inn on Wednesday.

Mr. Harikrishna clinched his last round match against Grandmaster Bartlomiej Macieja of Poland, while Mr. Gelfand of Israel secured a draw in his last match.

Ukrainian champion Andrei Volokitin and Lenier Dominguez of Cuba tied for the third spot, a full point behind the joint-winners while Giovanni Vescovi of Brazil finished fifth on 4.5 points.

Mr. Macieja, who suffered a string of defeats, finished at the bottom of the table with just 3.5 points.

Mr. Harikrishna and Mr. Gelfand each received $1,750 for sharing first prize.

Mr. Gelfand was the only unbeaten player in the event, with two victories and eight draws while Mr. Harikrishna secured three victories, a lone loss to Gelfand and six draws.

Mr. Gelfand drew his last match with Mr. Dominguez.

Bartlomiej Macieja (Pol, 3.5) lost to P Harikrishna (Ind, 6); Lenier Dominguez (Cub, 5) drew with Boris Gelfand (Isr, 6); Andrei Volokitin (Ukr, 5) beat Giovanni Vescovi (Bra, 4.5).

?The Bermuda Open ? part of the Association of Chess Professionals ? got off to a good start at the Fairmont Southampton Hotel on Friday.

The three-day Open continues this weekend and is open to all chess enthusiasts and players for a fee of $100.

Several players of the Invitational Tournament, held earlier this month at the Harmony Club, have already confirmed participation so chances are good that you might end up playing against one of the Grand Masters.

The prize fund of $5,000 is made up of a $1,000 return ticket and hotel in 2006 as well as cash prizes of $800, $600, $400 and $200. There is also a return ticket and hotel prize up for grabs to the top amateur as well as several cash prizes.