I'm in Khanty-Mansiysk right now. It's my first trip to this town and I'm already pretty impressed with what I saw today. During the opening ceremony that took place today the Governor of the Ugra Region - Alexander Filipenko told that this Cup is the general repetition before the Chess Olympiad 2010 which will take place here from September 19 till October 4, 2010.
Tomorrow is the first round of the World Cup. Boris Gelfand, ELO-favorite of the tournament, during the drawing of colors today picked the white pawn, that means all odd numbers will play white in the first round. I will start my match against Shakhriar Mamedyarov with the black pieces.
Below are some photos from the opening ceremony.
That's the welcome speech by the prime-minister of Russia Alexander Zhukov and the Governor of the Ugra region Alexander Filipenko.
Drawing of colors. Elo-favorite of the tournament Boris Gelfan picked the white pawn.
Posted by Alexandra Kosteniuk
Women's World Chess Champion
*Gelfand.
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