Round 1 of the I. Međugorje Open kicked off in Bosnia and Herzegovina with Palac Mladen and Popović Dušan battling in the 9-round Swiss. The classical format, 90 minutes plus 30 seconds per move, favors preparation and precision. Both players understand the grind ahead. Međugorje attracts solid competition, and early pairings set the tone for who climbs or stumbles over the next few weeks.