Kiwi Saves Aussie Tournament

After coming close to extinction, the Sydney International Open was last week saved thanks to a determined fund raising effort by a number of members in Australia's most popular chess forum, Chess Chat, but most especially thanks to a Hail Mary from kiwi grandmaster Murray Chandler. The SIO's organiser FM Brian Jones sent in this press release:

Entries are invited for the 2010 Sydney International Open and Challengers Chess Tournaments, to be held 7-11 April 2010.

The organisers have received financial support from a variety of sources and the principal sponsor for 2010 is GM Murray Chandler.

The venue is again the historic Parramatta Town Hall in Western Sydney and free hotel accommodation (twin share room) is offered to International Chess Grandmasters.

There are two nine-round FIDE-rated swiss tournaments, the Sydney International Open (SIO) and the Sydney International Challengers (SIC).

Cash prizes exceed A$16,000 and visas can be arranged on request for overseas players (please provide passport details).

More Information is available [on the official site].

For those players that want even more chess, the Doeberl Cup will be held in Canberra from 1-5 April 2010. See www.doeberlcup.com.au. Transport from Canberra to Sydney on Tuesday 6 April 2010 will be provided free of charge for all overseas players.

We look forward to welcoming all players to Sydney and to Australia.