270 Boards with 540 chess players including some 50 GMS/WGMs are taking part in World Open 2008 which began in Philadelphia this evening.Players from all over the world are vying for the first prize of some 40,000 US $ and a place in the 395,000$ total prize money. Gramdmasters Surya Sekhar Ganguly Abhijeet Kunte, Parimarjan Negi GN Gopal,Women grandmasters Nisha Mohota Swati Ghate Aarthie Rama Swamy and Esha Karwade are part of a strong 14 members Indian Contingent.