The annual ZMD open in Dresden in July/August http://www.schachfestival.de/www_festival/ebfa1b41f4b42d1c0b703182ef4aaf1d.php is a very competently organized tournament with generous class prizes, that I would like to return to. The one drawback is everybody from 1000 to GM is in the same group, so playing for title norms is very hard there.

I have also been very happy with the Rilton Cup in Stockholm (December/January); if I could choose only one per year I think this would be it. But now apparently I have to get my rating above 2200 to play in the highest section (the only one that interests me).

I have heard good things about Gibraltar and intend to play it in a year or two.

Having a little more time for chess again, I'll be playing Copenhagen Open in Helsingör in mid July. A "big strong open not too far away", and I've heard that the tournament hall is very nice with air conditioning and all - though many small rooms instead of one big hall & Helsingör is a bit of a tourist trap, but since I'll be on the train most of the time I may not notice it...

I've also been wondering why London has so few big tms, maybe it's like Copenhagen i.e. hard to find good playing halls that are not too expensive?

Quote:


Well..., i'm not sure if this is the correct translation of the word "despatriados". What I mean is that they are exiled by their Companies.

Holbox wrote on 06/29/09 at 21:10:21:


Exiled?  

Gibraltar (there isn't a 2010 link yet)

http://www.gibraltarchesscongress.com/gib2009/index.html

Good question,

First one, 

http://www.cotxeres.org/open/ ;
(Pd. I hope to see Mr.Kosten here again, I'd like to get my Winning with the Philidor copy signed   )

Second one, 

http://www.escacsandorra.com/tag/open/

I would like to know more about August Open Tournaments in Europe (France, Belgium, Nederlands, Italy or GB (near to London)).

Thx

Pardubice, Aeroflot, Cappelle, Avoine, Nancy, Donostia. Speaking for the French ones :
- Cappelle is a nontypical open for France, rather meeting the standards of strong east-european tourneys : basic conditions but cheerful volunteers, everybody plays in the same section, friendly invitational policy for foreign players... It is easily the strongest Fench open with 58 nations and 100+ GMs in the last edition (Feb 2009). Strong as it is, it has a reputation of being avoided by 2650+ players who won't risk their elo against "baseline" GMs.
- Avoine is admittedly one of the most pleasant opens in France, with lots of activities and, yes, some chess. Starting July 18.
- Nancy is an interesting "closed" formula : they take registrations like any open (not at the door however), and then slice off the players list, arranged by Elo, into groups of 10, when each group runs a 9-round all-play-all. Very interesting to play, and suitable for all levels : in 2009 the highest group was won by Pentala Harikrishna, and the lowest was for kids below 1200 iirc. Great team here also!

The Moengo town championship.