Two Canadian IMs confirmed for Canadian Open

International Masters Leonid Gerzhoy and Tom O'Donnell have confirmed their participation in the 2007 Canadian Open Chess Championship.

IM Gerzhoy, who has a FIDE rating of 2398, is Canada's reigning Junior Chess Champion and the Chess Champion of Toronto. He will be representing Canada in the World Junior Chess Championship later this year in Yerevan, Armenia.

IM O'Donnell, of Ottawa, has played on four Canadian Chess Olympiad teams: Thessalonika, Greece (1988); Novi Sad, Yugoslavia (1990); Manila, Philippines (1992); and Moscow, Russia (1994). He has won the championships of British Columbia (1988), Ontario (1988) and Quebec (1992). He gained his IM title based on a series of tournaments he played in Hungary in 1990-91.

The 2007 Canadian Open takes place in Ottawa at the Ottawa Marriott from July 7-15. For more information and to register online or reserve accommodation, visit: http://canchess.ca.

The entry fee for the 2007 Canadian Open is $125 until the end of May. After, till July 6, it is $150. At the playing venue, it will be $175.