40 Grandmasters in strong Dubai Chess Open 2011

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

Hi everyone,

The Dubai Chess Open has increasingly become popular so much so that this year we have 40 grandmasters taking part. That's something to talk about. The tournament is being held for the thirteenth time this year. Also, there are 9 Women Grandmasters, 22 International Masters, three Women International Masters, 16 Fide Masters and six WFM.

A total of 168 players are competing in the 9 round Swiss. At stake is the Sheikh Rashed Bin Hamdan Al Maktoum Cup and $45,000 in cash prizes. GM Krishnan Sasikiran of India is the top seed.

There were two main upsets in the first round at the Dubai Chess and Culture Club. Woman International Master Ghader Pour Shayesteh of Iran, playing black, shocked sixth seed GM Aleksej Aleksandrov of Belarus in only 54 moves of a Ruy Lopez.

In the other upset, Candidate Master Sanal Vahap of Turkey won with Queen's Indian defense against GM Hammer Jon Ludvig.

Woman FIDE Master Dinara Saduakassova of Kazakhstan used the Sicilian defense to hold GM emanuel Berg of Sweden to a draw in a marathon 82 moves. WFM Sarasadat Khademalsharieh of Iran likewise GM Ashot Anastasian to a draw. Second seed Vladimir Akopian of Armenia survived a scare against FM Das Satantan of India.

A record number of players from 41 countries, India, Russia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, France, Germany, England, Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, a group of players from Iran, and the host UAE are participating in this prestigious championship.

You can watch top games live here and access the official website here.

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