ALI Al Sulaiti secured a first-place finish in the Al Shakhoora Open Chess Championship despite a 0.5-0.5 draw with Warren Ortis of the Philippines.

In his sixth round game, the Bahrain national team veteran was the only unbeaten player in the tournament and needed half point to seal the title of this annual competition, being organised by Al Shakhoora Youth Centre.

Al Sulaiti did the important part and snatched a half point to extend his lead to 5.5 points, one point ahead of Fide Master Maher Ayyad who shared second place.

Al Sulaiti's seventh and final round game against Roshan will be meaningless for the former but important for the latter who will seek a place on the podium.

In other top sixth round results, Maher defeated Sher Mohammed, Ahmed Abdullatif beat Hussain Ayyad, Roshan edged Khalaf Bukhalaf, Renalto Castillo defeated Lou Filisilda, Khalil Bukhalaf beat Dado Cagamban, and Ali Al Jaber drew with Jamie Tabuzu.

Other seventh round top fixtures, scheduled at 7.30pm, will see Maher take on his brother Hussain, Abdullati clash with Ortis, Khalil clash with Castillo and Khalaf play Al Jaber.

The final round of this seven-round Swiss format championship will conclude today, commencing at 7.30pm with the awarding ceremony at the centre premises. It will be held under the patronage of event supporter Shawqi Fakhro.

More than 30 boys and girls players of different ages and nationalities are lined up for this event, being organised for the 11th time with Fisher system being applied.

The organising committee, which consists of officials from both the centre and the BMSA, approved valuable prizes for the winners at the awarding ceremony.

The committee includes centre head Ali Sabt and centre member Amir Al Shakhoori besides BMSA officials Taha Hussain, technical advisor Shaker Al Afoo while matches are being officiated by arbiters Attiya Juma and Abduljalil Ayyad.