With the arrival day behind us, everything is ready for the start of the 2021 European Individual Championship.
While most of the participants arrived in Reykjavik, the hosts were busy setting up the playing hall and everything that entails.
The drawing of lots was handled at the casual opening party. Chief arbiter Omar Salama administered the drawing of lots and appeals member Peter van Hoolandt made sure everything went according to regulations.
Gawain cunningly enlisted the help of his daughter, Samaria, in picking a color and the white pieces were the result. Thus every odd-numbered participant will have the white pieces in the 1st round.
Later in the evening, the Technical meeting was held. Chief Arbiter Omar Salama went over rules and regulations for the tournament with the help of Chief Organiser Gunnar Bjornsson. Also Johanna Bjorg Johannsdottir had a few words about Covid-protocols for which she is in charge for the organisers.
The pairings for the 1st round will be published around 12:30. The 1st round will start after a brief opening ceremony and then the chess can begin, the first big international tournament in Icelandic since 2019 before the pandemic started!
Further photos from the arrival day
