Veselin Topalov will have White pieces in the first game
Update: Photo gallery added
16:45 CET
The opening ceremony of the 2010 FIDE World Chess Championship match is starting at 17:00 CET. FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and his assistant Berik Balgabaev have arrived 15 minutes earlier. There are more than 20 TV cameras and about 100 journalists attending.
16:50 CET
As we informed earlier today, the first game will be postponed for one day. The updated playing schedule is posted here.
16:55 CET
World Champion Vishy Anand enters the playing hall. Chessdom.com has five photographers on the scene, expect constant photo updates and a large gallery to be posted soon.

Prime Minister of Bulgaria Boiko Borisov, FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, Veselin Topalov and Bulgaria Sports Minister Svilen Neikov
17:00 CET
The opening ceremony starts with a minute of silence in the memory of the former IOC President Juan Antonio Samaranch.
17:00 CET
Boiko Borisov, Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria and Chairman of the Organizing Committee, is currently giving a speech.

Prime Minister of Bulgaria and Chairman of the Organizing Committee Boiko Borisov giving a speech
17:10 CET
His excellency Ambassador of India is giving a speech. He wished luck to both players and said “Let the better player wins!” A promotional video of India is starting.
17:25 CET
The movie about Anand and his career is currently being screened.
17:30 CET
Now the movie about Veselin Topalov and his career is on the screen.

FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov

World Champion Vishy Anand
17:35 CET
Vishy Anand and Veselin Topalov are invited to step on the stage. Chief Arbiter Panaqiotis Nikolopoulos is explaining the regulations. Deputy Chief Arbiter Werner Stubenvoll is also on the stage. Drawing of the lots will now commence.
17:40 CET
Veselin Topalov will play with White pieces in the first game.
17:40 CET
With this the opening ceremony is concluded. Thank you for following. Many more photos in the gallery.

The Chief Arbiter Mr. Nikolopoulos during the drawing of lots
