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The sun was shining in Khanty-Mansiysk on the first day of September. I wanted to walk around before the start of the round. Nicely dressed school girls and boys were everywhere (September 1 is a first day of school in Russia).

Their young faces seem not to reflect any burdens of the coming study year. Unment I started to recall episodes of my school days and almost entered the same carefree state. But I had to go back to the reality for the World Cup, where the participants were about to pass another exam, starting their games at the Ugra Chess Academy.

Maria Fominykh

 

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A nice public garden with a small fountain is located next to the Chess Academy.

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There is an arbor in the center of pond.

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The Theatrical Complex «Ugra-Classic» hosted the opening ceremony of the World Cup.

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Some have holiday, other are on duty. Traffic police works with radars.

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Colorful natives are selling souvenirs.

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Pentala Harikrishna is getting ready before the critical game against Dmitry Jakovenko.

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Sebastien Feller and Alexander Grischuk away from the board.

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At the chess board. One of the most interesting matches of the Round 2 proceeded to tie-breaks.

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Warmly dressed Nguyen from Vietnam walks to the playing hall.

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Teimour Radjabov and his father are sitting on the white-and-black sofa before the start.

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The spectators are taking their seats. Looking at this young guy in shorts you understand that one can have a spring mood even on the first day of autumn.

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The stands, we might confess, are not overcrowded with spectators, but the number of visitors at the online relay web page breaks all records.

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Sergey Karjakin, Vugar Gashimov and Peter Svidler.

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Usually Sergey comes to games in advance, sits down and concentrates for a couple of minutes. Then he realizes there is still a lot of time, gets up and chats with friends.

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One minute before the start, Sergey is again at the board. It is not time to joke anymore.

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Vladimir Potkin is quiet and serious before the game.

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Beating Shirov with the perfect score is not a joke!

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Lenier Dominguez was very well prepared to the opening of Viorel Bologan. The Grandmaster from Moldova had to offer a draw after the tenth move and lost the match.

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Lenier should be given the Honorary Guest of Khanty-Mansiysk title, as this is his fifth visit to the city.

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David Navara never turns from the camera.

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Having defeated Alexander Onischuk, he came to the press center and told about his game in two languages. I was attracted by his beautiful chess tie. It occurred that his mom presented it to him.

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Peter-Heine Nielsen and Michael Adams got out of the opening without any adventures thus looking for them in the tie-break.

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The same is waiting for Ernesto Inarkiev and Alexander Moiseenko. There are total of 13 pairs heading for the additional playing day.

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Dmitry Andreikin did not manage to turn the tables: having drawn the second game, he leaves the World Cup.

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Evgeny Tomashevsky spent his first rest day in preparations, but this time he is going to go somewhere with his second Alexey Ilyushin.

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The World Cup has been rather successful for Azerbaijan: Teimour Radjabov won in the classical games and Shakhriyar Mamedyarov is to play against Daniel Friedman in tie-breaks.

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Vugar Gashimov managed to win the second Round in classical games.

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Alexander Riazantsev did not torture his opponent and offered a draw on the 11^th move.

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Ian Nepomniachtchi.

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Dmitry Jakovenko ensured himself the ticket to the Round 3, having protected his match lead in the second game against Pentala Harikrishna.

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So far Ni Hua does not give in to Ruslan Ponomariov, although the difference in their ratings is more than 100 points.

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In the second game Le Quang Liem demonstrated the way one should achieve a needed draw playing White.

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The sensational winning underdogs of the Round 1 are leaving the World Cup. Alexander Fier got under the attack of Alexander Morozevich once again and failed to score half a point in this match.

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Samuel Shankland was more persistent, however, he will also have to buy a return ticket

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Gata Kamsky, who defeated Rustam Kasimdzhanov, came to the press center for the first time. He confessed that he considers press-conferences unlucky for him and tries to avoid them whenever possible.

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Closer to the end of the round we had another result that must have pleased many women chess players of the world — Judit Polgar playing Black defeated Sergei Movsesian and qualified for the Round 3.

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During her rest day Judit will get to know the name of her next opponent — Sergey Karjakin or Wesley So.