Some open tournaments get the occasional "low" 2700 player, but the Qatar Masters is apparently no ordinary open. In addition to 10 "rank and file" 2700 players (what a ridiculous phrase) there are four superstars participating as well: Vladimir Kramnik, Anish Giri, Shakhriyar Mamedyarov and Maxime Vachier-Lagrave. The action begins Wednesday at 1 p.m. CET/7 a.m. ET.
A couple of days later, on Friday, the Russian Championship begins. Participants include Sergei Karjakin, Peter Svidler, Nikita Vitiugov, Dmitry Jakovenko, Ian Nepomniachtchi and Alexander Morozevich.
Looking further ahead, the London Chess Classic begins December 10 (Caruana, Anand, Giri, Nakamura, Kramnik and Adams; unfortunately, it seems to be a single round-robin event) and the World Mind Games rapid & blitz championships start in Beijing on December 11 and December 13, respectively. There's no shortage of chess entertainment coming our way the next three weeks!