will be competing when Bermuda's first Grandmaster Chess Tournament gets underway today at Mermaid Beach Club on South Shore.

Heading the entry are American Nick DeFirmian, former Russian but now American citizen Alexander Ivanov, the defending Bermuda International Open champion, and England's David Norwood. All three are Grandmasters, the highest ranking in chess.

Organisers were reportedly inundated by applications from International Masters but eventually settled on seven.

They include Maurice Ashley, the leading African-American player who runs a successful chess education programme; Brazil's Giovanni Vescovi a member of his national team and a leading contender in the recent world Under-18 championships; American Josh Waitzkin, for several years one of the world's strongest juniors; and Sophia Polgar, the "middle'' sister of the legendary Hungarian chess-playing family.

The 10 players will compete from today through to February 1, each playing nine rounds.

Prizemoney totals $15,000 with $4,000 going to the winner and a minimum of $500 to each competitor.

Carol Jarecki, one of the world's leading arbiters, has agreed to run the tournament.

Taking place alongside the Grandmaster Tournament over the next 10 days will be Bermuda's first Invitational Rating Tournament which will involve some local players.

The main purpose of this event is to give participants an opportunity to improve their skills and possibly attain IM status. Besides locals, a number of overseas FIDE Masters (FMs) have flown in to compete.

Prizemoney for this competition will total $2,000 with a first prize purse of $1,000. GMs will receive an appearance fee of $500.

Organisers are hoping that several of the overseas players will stay on the Island for the International Open Tournament due to begin in the first week of February.

An official opening ceremony for the Grandmaster tournament is scheduled for 1.40 p.m. today at Mermaid Beach Club.