Rousing Start for Mumbai Mayor's International Open Chess Tournament

By Praful Zaveri

The Mumbai Mayor's International Open Chess Tournament got off to a rousing start by attracting a record 446 participants from more than 10 countries, who would be vying for the first prize of Rs.2.75 Lakhs in a total prize fund of Rs.11.00 Lakhs.

The event, which is being conducted at the prestigious Goregaon Sports Club, is being organized by the Venus Chess Academy under the aegis of the All India Chess Federation. With participation of more than 20 FIDE rated players from foreign countries, it is now a GM/IM Norm Tournament.

Grandmaster Michael Kransenkow from Poland with an enviable rating of 2624 is the top-seeded player in this 11-round swiss league event. He is followed by India's pride, Grandmaster Koneru Humpy, who is as much capable of breaking the domination of this male bastion. Another Polish GM, Barteloj Macieja is seeded 3rd.

The field of 14 GMs, 2 WGMs, 24 IMs, 6 WIMs, 11 FMs and 1 WFM and 259 rated players make this as one of the biggest Indian Open Chess Tournament.

Earlier the event was inaugrated by the Member of Parliament & former Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Honourable Manohar Joshi in a glittering opening ceremony. The other guests were the Municipal Commissioner, Shri Jairaj Phatak and the Secretary of the All India Chess Federation.

The games on 20 boards would be transmitted live on internet on the website  01^st Mumbai International Grandmasters open LIVE

Kransekow Maintains Lead

GM Shukrat Takes Sole Lead

GM Merab Gagunashvili Shocked

Top-seeded GM Michael Kransekow Held