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
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
IM Nabaty Tamir ISR 2529
GM Danielsen Henrik ISL 2516
GM Antic Dejan SRB 2495
GM Janev Evgeni BUL 2494
GM Nedev Trajko MKD 2490
Korobkov Piotr UKR 2484
IM Arnaudov G Petar BUL 2468
IM Perunovic Miodrag SRB 2465
IM Berbatov Kiprian BUL 2461
IM Zaslavsky Mikhail ISR 2424
GM Georgiev Krum BUL 2422
IM Ashwin Jayaram IND 2420
IM Collas Didier FRA 2420
Strelnikov Sergey UKR 2419
IM Mitkov Marjan MKD 2410
FM Fazulyanov Sergey RUS 2365
FM Pavlidis Anastasios GRE 2352
IM Gvetadze Sopio GEO 2350
FM Aggelis Nikolaos GRE 2337
IM Mastrokoukos Georgios GRE 2328
WIM Nikolova Adriana BUL 2328
Galburd Yan ISR 2322
Malikentzos Sotirios GRE 2312
FM Badev Kiril BUL 2310
IM Collas Silvia FRA 2300
Shishkov Minko BUL 2286
WIM Bulmaga Irina ROU 2285
Kanakaris Georgios GRE 2285
Stoinev Metodi BUL 2278
WIM Videnova Iva BUL 2269
FM Vragoreris Antonios GRE 2253
Urosevic Goran SRB 2232
Vlashki Nino BUL 2225
Zygouris Hristos GRE 2225
Bousios Hristos GRE 2211
Dounis Alexandros GRE 2207
Hristodoulou Panagiotis GRE 2207
Parginos Vassilios GRE 2199
Yakimenko Alexander A RUS 2194
Osmanoglou Halil GRE 2184
Ivanov Bogidar BUL 2179
Dichev Nedelcho BUL 2142
Glavchev Stanislav BUL 2129
Zekaj Dritan ALB 2120
Sotirov Nikolaj BUL 2109
Sirkova Darena BUL 2096
Grapsa Georgia GRE 2060
Kolev Atanas Tonchev BUL 2049
Harokopakis Georgios GRE 1984
Stefanov Evtim BUL 1944
Petrov Martin BUL 1939
Stanchev Aleksandar BUL 1915
Koroglou Viktor GRE 1907
Ladopoulos Dimitrios GRE 1880
Georgiev Dimitar BUL 1873
Theoharidis Georgios GRE 1852
Krastev Kalin BUL 1848
Todorov Angel BUL 1844
Ivanova Simoneta BUL 1838
Ioannidis Evgenios GRE 1830
Kamenov Valentin BUL 1815
Papathanasiou Elisavet GRE 1788
Petrov Vladimir Sergeev BUL 1778
Atanasova Elitsa BUL 1748
Velikov Georgi BUL 1737
Stefanov Emil BUL 1695
Shivacheva Donika BUL 1690
Charpidou Anna GRE 1686
Harizanova Elitsa BUL 1670
Muller Marcin POL 1661
Haritopoulou Maria-Anna GRE 1658
Sabotinov Ventsislav BUL 1647
Dichev Dragomir BUL 1613
Hristov Kaloyan BUL 1608
Hatzipanteli Theodora GRE 1579
Ganev Nikola BUL 1523
Gogov Kiril BUL 1520
Taskov Ivo BUL 1480
Vasileva Aleksandra BUL 1480
Najdenova Jana BUL 1466
Pavlidis Pavlos GRE 1411
Vasileiadis Theodoros GRE 0
Kioutsoukos Dimitrios GRE 0
Litovolis Dimitrios GRE 0
Altajbek Anel KAZ 0
Angelov Kiril BUL 0
Antova Gabriela BUL 0
Atanasova Paulina BUL 0
Bureva Radilena BUL 0
Cholakov Nikolay BUL 0
Darpatov Antonio BUL 0
Dichev Kaloyan BUL 0
Dimchev Ruben BUL 0
Diviziev Jordan BUL 0
Dodov Petar BUL 0
Dodov Tsvetan BUL 0
Dzhupanov Dimitar BUL 0
Elichinov Georgi BUL 0
Gavrilov Petar BUL 0
Kitaigorodski Sergei FIN 0
Lazarova Ana-Maria BUL 0
Liangov Petar BUL 0
Makarov Ilyua KAZ 0
Manchevski Daniel BUL 0
Marmarov Atanas BUL 0
Mehandzhiev Boicho BUL 0
Milonas Hrisovalantis GRE 0
Miradzhev Aleksandar BUL 0
Nedyalkov Vladislav BUL 0
Nikolov Kiril BUL 0
Panin Georgi BUL 0
Petkova Lilia BUL 0
Petkova Nadezhda BUL 0
Petrov Anton BUL 0
Petrov Nikolai BUL 0
Peycheva Gergana BUL 0
Pingov Krasen BUL 0
Pirkova Alexandra BUL 0
Rizov Borislav BUL 0
Sharkov Borislav BUL 0
Simov Simo BUL 0
Soyanov Dimitar BUL 0
Stankov Oleg BUL 0
Stankov Stanimir BUL 0
Stoyanov Kaloian BUL 0
Stoyanov Yordan BUL 0
Tabakova Elena BUL 0
Toteva Aleksandrina BUL 0
Vasiliyadis Antoni BUL 0
Zahov Ivan BUL 0
Zheliazkova Vania BUL 0