Young Indian Grandmaster Sahaj Grover came up with his best performance in a year, ending on the spot top in the Durban International Open Chess Tournament that concluded here at the International Convention Centre.
It was a tense final round for Grover in which he overcame the challenge of International Master Daniel Cowdery of South Africa to take his tally up to nine points out of a possible 11.
Sabino Brunello of Italy had the better tiebreak on the same score after he beat compatriot Axel Rombaldoni in his final round game.
While Sabino won the title on tiebreak the first prize was shared and Grover went home richer by 25000 Rand (About USD 2500).
The third place went to former world junior champion Abhijeet Gupta who defeated GM Gilberto Hernandez of Mexico in another decisive game of the 11th round.
Speaking about his best game here, Grover said the ninth round game against higher ranked Argentenian Grandmaster Sandro Mareco was quite nice.
"I played this speculative sacrifice and had to go all out for an attack, luckily it was all over quickly," Grover said.
This was a moral booster for Grover just ahead of the World junior championship in less than a week's time at Pune.
"Yes, I hope I can carry this form in the world junior which I feel is a very tough field, I just hope to play my best there," he said.
