By Yash Mudgal/Doha
Former world champion Vladimir Kramnik and Anish Giri, the highest ranked player, will lead a strong field at the Qatar Masters, a new mega-open chess tournament, which will commence today.
Giri, the 20-year-old Grandmaster from the Netherlands, will start his campaign with white pieces as the result of the drawing of lots, performed during the opening ceremony yesterday.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony Qatar Chess Association (QCA) president Khalifa Mohamed al-Hitmi said, “I am happy to inaugurate the first Qatar Masters Open and promise it will be an annual event. This is the first time that we are going to witness such a major event not only in Qatar but in the region as well and I welcome the grandmasters from all over the world.”
The Qatar Masters, a new mega-open chess tournament, is being conducted according to the Swiss System of nine rounds and if necessary a play-off.
“Due to a very high amount of applications the organising committee decided to increase the Elo requirements for participating players in order to invite more higher-rated players. The tournament is open for players with Elo 2300 and above,” said Grandmaster Mohammed Ahmed al-Modiahki and general secretary of QCA.
The total prize money is $110,000. The first place winner will get $25,000. First place for ladies will win $5,000. The 11-day event will be contested by 160 players representing 40 countries.
Al-Modiahki said some of the top players of the world are in Qatar for the championship including Grand Masters from 40 countries.
“The prize money on offer at the championship is one of the highest in the Middle East. The winner will get $25,000. Besides we have prize money for best women players and best Arab players,” said al-Modiahki, who is also the tournament director.
Apart from Kramnik, who was Classical World Chess Champion from 2000 to 2006 and the undisputed World Chess Champion from 2006 to 2007, and the top ranked GM Giri, former world rapid chess champion Grandmaster Mamedyarov Shakhriyar, Grandmaster Antoaneta Stefanova from Bulgaria are taking part in the tournament.
Some 20 players, who will feature in the tournament are from top 50. Asian challenge will be led by 22 from India and 14 players from China.
GM Pentala Harikrishna is the highest rated Indian in the fray.
Grandmaster Chen Zhu will lead Qatar challenge at the championship. The other Qatari competitors will be Mohammed al-Sayed and Husein Aziz Nezad.
Qatar Chess Association (QCA) president Khalifa Mohamed al-Hitmi, QCA general secretary and Grandmaster Mohammed Ahmed al-Modiahki and other officials
