The opening ceremony of the Candidates 2013 took place in London. The FIDE President Kirsan Ilymzhinov and the AGON director Andrew Paulson welcomed the players and their accompanying personnel.
Among the guests in the UK capital were many of the players’ seconds – Peter Heine Nielsen (Carlsen), Sergei Mosvsesian (Aronian), Alexander Huzman (Gelfand), Nikita Vitiugov (Svidler), Alexander Riazantsev (Grischuk), etc.
As the pairings are already known for a few weeks, there was no need for drawing of lots. With the championship officially opened, the chess world now awaits the first games. Round 1 tomorrow will see Aronian – Carlsen, Gelfand – Radjabov, Ivanchuk – Grischuk, and Svidler – Kramnik and the games will be commented by GM Christian Bauer live here.
Magnus Carlsen with his second Peter Heine Nielsen in London
The players before the start of the opening ceremony
Kirsan Ilyumzhinov welcoming the players
Radjabov and Kramnik with Israel Gelfer
Photos by Anastasiya Karlovich
