Mainz Mainly Missing

This year's Chess Classic Mainz event is a considerably slimmed down version due to difficult economic circumstances.

Nevertheless, the show goes on, albeit over just three days between 6-8 August with a large rapid open tournament, the Grenke Rapid World Championship Open.

The format will be an 11-round rapid played at a rate of 20 minutes plus 5 seconds per move.  A first prize of 6,000 euros has attracted a strong field with several GM's over 2700 competing (see top 10 list below).

There will also be two world champions in town giving simultaneous exhibitions.  Vishy Anand will play against 40 boards, and women's champion Alexandra Kosteniuk will play an intriguing Chess960 simul on 20 boards.

The official website with further details can be found here.