Bansko Open Is Your Perfect Challenge!

Seeking Title Norms? Bansko Open Is Your Perfect Challenge!
Lion’s share of the prize fund reserved for amateurs

The premium Bulgarian ski resort in Bansko is ready to host its first International Grand Open Chess Tournament from 12th to 19th December. So far over 150 players have signed up, among them 15 Grandmasters and 50 titled. The response of the chess players has been overwhelming, for many reasons.

– The opening of the ski season provides the opportunity to combine participation in the strong chess tournament and all-day enjoyment in winter sports. The Bansko Grand Open organizers have set the round start at 17:00h local time, so that there is plenty of room for various outdoor activities.

– The organizers have enlisted participation of 15 Grandmasters and 11 International Masters from 19 different chess federations. The FIDE Norm seekers will be in comfortable position to fulfill their goals and advance to the next level.

– The prize fund of 9.000 EUR for the main group has been carefully distributed to provide incentive for the amateur players of all rating levels to play in their best shape and fight for the top position within the respective groups. First place in each rating category brings 500 EUR (U1800, U2000, U2200, U2400). In addition, the amateurs with good run can meet and have a shot at the seasoned titled players.

– The Open B is reserved for the talented Youth. The kids can match the skill against the fellows of their own age. Winner of the each age group will be awarded with a valuable laptop computer. The gifts raise the total prize fund to the value of 15.000 EUR!

– Finally, as cherry on the top of the cake, the accommodation rates for the chess players have been downsized to the incredibly low levels, despite the high season in one of the most prestigious ski resorts.

Signups close in just several days, make sure to register on time!

15 000 eur prize fund

The total prize fund of Bansko Grand Chess Open is 15 000 eur. The first players in the main group will receive a total of 9000 eur, as there are special prizes dedicated to rating groups

A. International Rating Category 2201 – 2400
1st 500 € 2nd 300 € 3rd 100 €

B. International Rating Category 2001 – 2200
1st 500 € 2nd 300 € 3rd 100 €

C. International Rating Category 1801 – 2001
1st 500 € 2nd 300 € 3rd 100 €

D. International Rating Category up to 1801
1st 500 € 2nd 300 € 3rd 100 €

As the future of chess depends on the young players enthusiasm and development of technology, the organizers will award laptop computers to U14, U12, U10, and U8 categories.

A total of 24 medals and 8 cups will be given.

The tournament is valid for GM/IM/FM /WFM/WIM/WGM norms and the youth section is application to the ECU Grand Prix.

Official website: http://banskochess.chessdom.com/

Participants (top 10 seeds)

GM Savchenko Boris RUS 2632
GM Safarli Eltaj AZE 2609
GM Radulski Julian BUL 2606
GM Spasov Vasil BUL 2606
GM Georgiev Vladimir MKD 2582
GM Grigoryan Avetik ARM 2580
GM Nikolov Momchil BUL 2565
GM Mastrovasilis Athanasios GRE 2556
GM Nikolaidis Ioannis GRE 2552
GM Petrov Marijan BUL 2534

More here.