23rd Bangkok Chess Club Open underway in Hua Hin, Thailand

“Undinal songs urge the sailors on,
Till lured by the sirens’ cry” *

Following a memorable 22nd edition on the bank of the Chao Phraya river in Bangkok last year, the BCC Open set its sails to the Western shore of the Gulf of Thailand. Veterans from the 2024 event find themselves on familiar grounds however, as the tournament is again hosted by the Sheraton Resort and Spa in Hua Hin.

With a record 357 players representing 48 countries at the start of round one, it can be said that the ongoing geopolitical uncertainty was less of a deterrent than the earthquake which shook both buildings and resolve a little over a year ago in Thailand. It is especially heartening that many of this year’s participants have shown much resourcefulness in order to get to Hua Hin.

Sixteen GMs lead the field, including previous editions’ winners Loek Van Wely, Nigel Short, Surya Ganguly, Vitaliy Bernadskiy as well as defending champion Evgeny Romanov. Along with the other favourites, they made rather short work of their lower-rated opponents. But with a total of 120 titled players and a median rating above 2050 in the Masters’ group, the old hands’ continued dominance is not a foregone conclusion.

Accessible to all players rated under 2000 Elo, the Challengers group gathers 117 competitors from 34 countries, including thirteen local Thais. Oddly enough, the top two seeds both hail from the unlikely place that is Belgium, while the field also includes a couple of blind ladies as well as a player who fell asleep at the board for twenty minutes – but nevertheless managed to win his game.