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

 

 

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

There is an arbor in the center of pond.

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

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

Colorful natives are selling souvenirs.

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

Sebastien Feller and Alexander Grischuk away from the board.

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

Warmly dressed Nguyen from Vietnam walks to the playing hall.

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

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.

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

Sergey Karjakin, Vugar Gashimov and Peter Svidler.

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.

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

Vladimir Potkin is quiet and serious before the game.

Beating Shirov with the perfect score is not a joke!

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.

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

David Navara never turns from the camera.

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

Ian Nepomniachtchi.

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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