Sydney International Open

With the entry of the Philippines' Rogelio Antonio Jr the number of grandmasters registered for this trail-blazing tournament has reached ten. There are also eight IMs, five FMs and one each WGM, WIM and WFM.

The top players are, in rating order:
Sergei Shipov (Russia, GM, 2591)
Victor Mikhalevski (Israel, GM, 2590)
Mihaljo Stovanovic (Serbia, IM, 2576)
Georgy Timoshenko (Ukraine, GM, 2563)
Rogelio Antonio Jr (Philippines, GM, 2551)
Murray Chandler (England, GM, 2548)
Carlos Matamoros Franco (Ecuador, GM, 2540)
Ian Rogers (Australia, GM, 2529)
David Smerdon (Australia, IM, 2460)
Zong-Yuan Zhao (Australia, IM, 2455)
Darryl Johansen (Australia, GM, 2454)
Dejan Antic (Serbia, GM, 2452)
Tejas Bakre (India, GM, 2441)
Gary Lane (Australia, IM, 2421)

Behind those are a host of very talented players -- some with titles and some who are getting very close to one. So far there are five Australian players looking for another title norm in this. They are Smerdon and Zhao who need a GM norm, and Xie, Bjelobrk and Ly knocking on the door for their IM.

The entries are still coming in for this, the most exciting chess tournament ever conducted in Australia. The atmosphere should be extraordinary.

Congratulations Brian Jones (and Vasil Tulevski who has been an enthusiastic supporter) on your vision and acumen.

The entry list is updated daily and can be viewed on the official site by clicking here: http://www.chessaustralia.com.au/open/index.cfm?p=section&a=Entries