The city of Prague (Czech Republic) hosts its biggest chess tournament, the Prague Open. Starting today 164 players from 30 countries begin competing, with 9 GMs, 1WGM, 24 IMs and 2 WIMs in the starting list. A big struggle for the first place is awaited as there is no clear favourite, when the top 17 players fit into the 2538-2438 Elo difference.

Many players are aiming at FIDE norms requirements, as the top seeded IM Danin from Russia (2538) or the local IMs Kanovsky (2497) who missed norm for half a point the last year, Bernasek (2490) or Zilka (2479). The rounds start at 16:00 CET, the double round is on 11th January. The last round is on 14th January start at 9:00 CET. The top 6 boards are transmitted on-line.

The Prague Open is a part of the Czech Tour 2010/2011 Series, known especially for the huge summer Czech Open in Pardubice. The Series continue right after the Prague’s event in Marianbad with an Open, round-robin GM and IMs tournaments. The Series final is scheduled to Novy Bor 12th-19th February 2011.