Opening night of the Tradewise Gibraltar International Chess Tournament is always hectic – arrival, registration and of course catching up with old friends.

The atmosphere is relaxed and friendly ahead of what will be another highly competitive event. 2016 is another record year for the tournament as players have over the last few days been arriving from some 58 countries from around the world.

The Caleta Hotel was buzzing as players, guests, organisers and sponsors gathered for the opening ceremony of the 2016 Tradewise Gibraltar Chess Festival last night.

The first of the pairings was drawn – with the help of Miss Gibraltar 2015 Hannah Bado – to first determine who would play the top seed in this year’s tournament, last year’s Gibraltar Champion,  Hikaru Nakamura. He is ranked No.6 in the World and is the US No.1.

Also present was Sport, Culture and Heritage Minister Steven Linares who was as always thrilled to be back and to welcome all the players to the tournament. In his speech he first listed the top names playing this year highlighting, he said, the “high calibre” of the event.

Mr Linares assured Gibraltar was very proud of the festival and the fact that it has become the best open tournament in the world.

“The Gibraltar Government is proud and privileged to sponsor with Tradewise this championship. It is an example of all the events the government promotes and uses Tradewise as an example of how to organise an event,” he said congratulating the organisers and sponsors.

The Gibraltar Masters starts today at 3pm Gibraltar time and remember we will be going live once again from our studio here at the Caleta Hotel with Grandmaster Simon Williams and International Master Elisabeth Pähtz. There are more than 250 chess players in the Gibraltar Masters this year with some 350 people as part of the festival. Once again some 60 countries are being represented.

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