Chess players from 6 to 80 are vying for top spot at this weekendB次元官网网址檚 seventh annual Grand Pacific Open tournament.

The local contingent will be joined by numerous out-of-town players, taking the total number of competitors over the 100 mark.

SurreyB次元官网网址檚 Tanraj Sohal, 15, winner of the B.C. Open championship last month, provides an example of where chess can take a young player.

In January he was awarded a full ride scholarship to Webster University in St. Louis.

Other players in the international field expected to challenge for the title include former B.C. champion Jack Yoos and current champ Butch Villavieja, both of Vancouver, and womenB次元官网网址檚 Grandmaster Katerina Rohonyan from Redmond, Wash.

Play begins at 6 p.m. Friday (March 29) and continues during the afternoon and evening on Saturday and Sunday.

The final round happens Monday starting at 10 a.m. Spectators are welcome to attend this free event at the Hotel Grand Pacific, 463 Belleville St.

For more information, visit grandpacificopen.pbworks.com.

editor@vicnews.com