The fourth World Cup has been opened on 27 August Saturday evening in the permanent residence — Siberian city Khanty Mansiysk. The Opening Ceremony took place in the Cultural Centre «Ugra Classic» which was specially organized in a style of a famous French café «De la Regence».

A bright concert preserved in the aristocratic genie was presented to the guests and participants. Modern and classical dances, fiery Latin melodies — the organizers did their best to amaze and pulverize the spectators. And they succeeded — the evening was ceremonial but at the same time cheerful!

While the participants were discussing the main issues at the technical meeting, other guests were gathering in the Hall. FIDE President’s Assistant Berik Balgabaev and the master of the ceremony were preparing Kirsan Ilyumzhinov to the coming demonstration game Ilyumzhinov vs Khanty Mansiysk mayor.

In his welcoming speech FIDE President shared with the audience that before the Opening Ceremony he got acquainted with a small girl Ksyusha who played chess at one of the chess boards in the Hall. The FIDE President was touched when such a small chess player declared with a very serious face that she was planning to become a World Champion. Mr. Ilyumzhinov wished that one of the chess players from Ugra would one day win a Chess crown.

 

Maybe one of these beautiful small girls would really become a World Champion?

The technical meeting was soon over and the chess players started discussing its results. The main novelty in the regulations was that in case any electronic equipment was found with a chess player, he would be immediately disqualified. This is it: not 0 points to his score list but he will be sent home. A law is strict…

Murtas Kazhgaleev (right) and Etienne Bacrot are full of emotions after the meeting

The Chinese delegation

And its flower — Women’s World Champion Hou Yifan

Merry Azeri Grandmasters Shakhriar Mamediarov and Rauf Mamedov

Vugar Gashimov is in good mood. He speaks with Viorel Iordachescu

Judit Polgar, Sergey Karjakin with his coach Yuri Dohoyan

Yuri Dohoyan and Judit Polgar are posing

Lenier Dominguez and Peter Leko

Finally time to check the preparation had come

It was not an opening preparation. Kirsan Game Kirsan Ilyumzhinov — Vasily Filipenko was played very quickly and diplomatically finished in a friendly draw.

Boris Grachev and Daniel Freedman

Evgeny Vorobiev, Vladimir Potkin and Mikhail Kobalia

The Ukrainians Alexander Moiseenko and Ruslan Ponomariov

Finally the spectators were invited to the Hall. Vladimir Potkin confidently goes to his seat

Nikita Vityugov is narrating some stories to his colleagues while waiting for the Opening Ceremony to start

Among the spectators Emil Sutovsky, Gata Kamsky and Andrey Volokitin

 

Unrelieved attribute of a chess fest — animated chess pieces

Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and Vasily Filipenko

The Opening Ceremony is not only a concert but 2−3 minutes of a serious business. A king and a queen hold a drawing of colors.

The rating favorite of the tournament Sergey Karjakin chose a color for himself and for all participants with odd number.

The Chief Arbiter shows a black pawn

This was the way we were shown the chess café atmosphere on the scene. No cigarette smog, no clock noise, no argues and shouts: «Move a knight!»…

Beautiful but a bit mysterious chess minuet.

Which piece does this lady act?

A concert was continued with a musical pantomime

The plot of this comic performance was played around the vase with cookies. Everyone was dancing around it

The men’s quartet was the next to perform. They sang several famous fiery melodies

 

The world hits like «Adagio» and «Bamboleo» were fancy to many of the spectators. At the beginning the audience was just slapping hands but later on it was warmed up and met the songs with standing ovations. Probably one can rarely see it at the official concerts!

The concert program was various: songs interchange dances, classic style interchanges modern one.

This is not a mess, this is a final composition of a beautiful and impetuous dances

When animated chess pieces appeared on the scene it was obvious that a banquet is close

The official speeches are pronounced, now time to propose toasts and feast

Musicians finished their performance in the «Regence» program and joined the banquet — to have some drinks, eat, and communicate. It was time for artists to relax. And for all the participants (and for us as well of course) everything has just started…

 

 

Maria Fominyh