This chess tournament with its prize fund of EUR 14,000 in only three years has become the largest open international chess tournament, not only in the Republic of Croatia, but in wider surrounding areas as well.

This year the tournament starts somewhat earlier and with a slightly modified concept.  The tournament is subdivided into two tournaments: "A" (for players rated above 2 200 Elo) and the prize fund of EUR 10,000 and "B" (for players rated up to 2 200 Elo) and the prize fund of EUR 4,000.
The organiser has envisaged 30 prizes for all chess categories. 56 players have registered their participation in "A" tournament, of which 22 GMs and 19 IMs from 18 countries, i.e. overall 49 chess players with a title.
The main sponsors of the tournament are the City of Rijeka and the Primorje – Gorski Kotar County, with occasional support from the Tourist Board of the Primorje – Gorski Kotar County and the Tourist Board of the City of Rijeka. The tournament is organised under the permanent auspices of the President of the Republic of Croatia.

In addition to a good organisation, an excellent response of chess players to the Rijeka tournament is also the merit of the chess centre "Rijeka", refurbished a couple of years ago.

Starting from next year the tournament "Mediterranean 2017" will develop into a chess festival that will include several chess manifestations and the most significant will be the 21st edition of the Veterans' World Championship. Namely, during the last Chess Olympic Games held in the city of Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia, the World Chess Federation, FIDE decided to entrust the organisation of this championship to the chess club "Rijeka", to the City of Rijeka and the Primorje – Gorski Kotar County.

All who are interested in the tournament will be able to follow overall 22 chess games broadcast live via official web site of the 4th open international chess tournament "Mediterranean 2017".
(S.R.)