GMs Hess and Van Wely to Play in Berkeley International
By Arun Sharma   
October 20, 2010
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GM Loek Van Wely, Photo Betsy Dynako 2009
BERKELEY, CA, OCTOBER, 20, 2010 The 2011 Berkeley International will be held from January 2 – 8, 2011 and is open to any player with a FIDE rating of at least 2100 (or juniors with FIDE rating at least 2000).  The tournament will be held at the Berkeley Chess School and should be a star-studded event.  With the current player list including eight GMs, such as super GM Loek Van Wely and homegrown GM Robert Hess (see Robert's new USCF bio here), the competition should be very strong, allowing players to face high level competition and the chance to earn GM or IM norms.  
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GM Robert Hess in Khanty-Mansiysk, Photo Tony Rich of CCSCSL

Now is definitely the time to enter as the entry fee to this prestigious event will increase on November 10.  There will also be other chess activities which should allow the local chess community opportunities to interact with some of the best players in the country.  If you are interested in playing or being a part of what will hopefully be one of the best chess events in the US, please contact Arun Sharma and David Pruess.