A record entry of more than 200 players are participating in the 2011 Thai Chess Open, which started today at the Dusit Thani Resort in Pattaya.
The field is headed by Spanish number one Paco Vallejo of Spain and former world title challenger Nigel Short from England, the two highest ranked of the ten Grandmasters in the Open. All Grandmasters were successful in the first round.
Players from 40 countries have travelled to Pattaya for the tournament, with the stand-out first round game being between 10-year-old Zhansaya Abdumalik from Kazakhstan and Thai number one Wisuwat Teerapabpaisit.
Abduumalik, the co-winner of the 2010 World U/10 Girls Championship, looked to be holding her own for much of the game but eventually dropped a pawn to Teerabpaisit and experience prevailed after 63 moves and four hours play.
The second round of teh main tournament, and the first of the Challengers tournament, will begin on Tuesday, April 12, at 9.00am. Games may be followed live via http://bangkokchess.com/ with results at http://www.chess-results.com/tnr47824.aspx?lan=1
The tournament will conclude on April 17.
Thailand Open Press Centre
April 11
Everyone knows why Short is there.