The opening ceremony of the 2013 Women Team Chess Championship took place at the Duman Hotel. In a traditional opening ceremony, the audience enjoyed dances, welcome messages by officials, and the drawing of lots.
The pairings of the tournament were determined by a “flowers draw”, where each team was assigned the starting number that is attached to a rose. The first encounters of the WTCC will be Ukraine-India, Romania-Russia, Kazakhstan-USA, Turkey-Georgia, and China-France. Games will be live on Chessdom.com starting at 10:00 CET.
World Champion Ana Ushenina with FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov at the press conference
Anna Zatonskih drawing number 8 for USA, pairing the team against the hosts from Kazakhstan
Team India start against the rating favorites Ukraine
France are paired against China in round 1
China are without ex World Campion Yifan Hou
Turkey's women chess gets stronger every year and they have high hopes for Astana
The hosts are boasting the youngest WGM Zhansaya Abdumalik on board 5
Team Russia is in Astana without the Kosintseva sisters
The renowned arbiter Mr. Nikolopoulos conducted the draw
Traditional music was part of the opening ceremony as usual
All photos by Anastasiya Karlovich
