Gareyev top seed for Chennai Open chess

The Chennai Open Tennis Tournament may have gone out of the city, but the Chennai Open Chess Tournament, an annual feature following the tennis event is very much alive. The 10th Chennai Open International Grandmaster Chess Tournament 2018 for the Dr N Mahalingam Trophy is scheduled to be held at Vijay Park Hotel, Jawaharlal Nehru Salai, Arumbakkam from January 18 to 25.

The winner gets the Chennai Open 2018 trophy and a cash award of Rs two lakh, while the runner-up takes home Rs 150000.

Further, the event offers Grand Master norm and International Master norm possibilities for young talents and title aspirants.

So far, 16 Grandmasters, five International Masters including 23 titled foreign players have confirmed their participation. World Blindfold simul chess record holder, Grandmaster Timur Gareyev of US (ELO 2606) is the top seed.

Experienced Grandmaster Sergei Tiviakov of the Netherlands is the second seed with an ELO rating of 2583. Tiviakov had a successful stint during his last visit. Entries for the event close on January 15.