Saturday 28 February 2009

2009 O2C Doeberl Cup - Indian Team Playing

The All India Chess Federation is sending a 13 player team to this years O2C Doeberl Cup and Sydney International Open. The team consists of 6 men (2 GM's and 4 IM's) and 7 women (4 WGM's and 3 WFM's). Along with GM's Abhijit Kunte and Neelotpal Das, the Indian contingent is the biggest overseas entry for the event. (Details for all players at the Doeberl Cup website under 'Entries')
As of today the O2C Doeberl Premier has 7 GM's, 10 IM's, 4 WGM's, 3FM's and 3 WFM's. This is over 50% of the current entry of 50 players.Of course this make earning IM and GM norms far easier, as the tournament is now exempted from the 33% overseas players requirment for norms, as well as giving players more titled players to play against.
With the entries for the Premier reaching the 50 mark, there are only 30 places left in the 80 player field. Entries are on a first come first served basis, and if last year is a guide, there will be a rush to fill the remaining places (the entry list was full about 4 weeks out from last years event).
The other tournaments are also starting to fill up, with 110 players pre-registered 6 weeks out from the start of the event.

(**Usual disclaimer: I am a paid official at this event **)

1 comment:

OzChess.com said...

Shaun,

I am very concerned that with all these titled players competing in the Doeberl Cup, I will not be able to secure 1st place overall as easily!

:)

Alex