Melbourne-based masters Leonid Sandler and Guy West came equal first in the inaugural Warrnambool Chess Open, with each finding the other the only competitor who could deny them outright victory.

The two won four of their five games and came a draw against each other during the two-day tournament.

Warrnambool Chess Club member Matthew Clarke was equal third with Khosrou Ghasouri of Portland and Paul Power of Geelong.

Tournament organiser Benjamin Spencer from the Warrnambool Chess Club said the two masters "beat us up" .

He said the grand prix class 2 event had been organised to lift the standard of competition in the south-west and had done so.

The average time taken for each game was between two to three hours.

"There is a lot of thinking involved," Mr Spencer said.

He said the junior chess competition in Warrnambool was strong, with the interschool competition hotly contested, but those wanting to compete at a senior level previously had to travel elsewhere before this year's inaugural competition.

The top junior player was Amelia Mendes, 9, who won games against competitors many years older.

ehimmelreich@fairfaxmedia.com.au

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