Moscow Open 2011 begins on Friday

Chess blog news and trivia (c) Alexandra Kosteniuk, 2011

Hello everyone,

The traditional chess festival "Moscow Open" will be held from January 28th to February 7th, 2011, in the usual playing venue at the Russian State Social University (RSCU), 4 Pik street (metro Botanical Garden).

Don't forget Chess Queen Alexandra Kosteniuk is playing in the Women's (closed) Event.

The festival will see a new and extended format with nine separate tournaments:
- Round robin tournament of young Grandmasters (men) - A
- Round robin tournament of young Grandmasters (women) - B
- Student Cup of Russia (men) - C
- Student Cup of Russia (women) - D
- Open Tournament, Cup of Russia among men - E
- Open Tournament, Cup of Russia among the women - F
- Individual and team tournament of chess schools and children clubs - G
- RSCU Olympiad - H
- Third World Cup of chess composition

The total guaranteed prize fund of the festival is 3.6 million Rubles (85.000 EUR).

The new festival concept brings emphasis on promotion of student and school sport. Among the new events are two round-round tournament, four tournaments as stages in the Cup of Russia, Seminars for Trainers and Arbiters, and the World Cup of chess composition.

Players continue to have the opportunity to win the RSCU grants for participation in the World and European Championships. Finally, the secondary school graduates can participate in the RSCU Olympiad, from where the winners will be granted scholarships for the department of physical education.

You can access the official website here.

From Alexandra Kosteniuk's
www.chessblog.com
Also see her personal blog at
www.chessqueen.com