FIDE Grand Prix in Sochi begins – Grischuk, Radjabov win

FIDE Grand Prix in Sochi 2008

The Second FIDE Grand Prix Tournament is taking place in the Russian Black Sea resort city of Sochi, from July 30 to August 15, 2008, with 14 players from ten different countries. The field is dominated by Ukrainian GM Vassily Ivanchuk, who is 37 point ahead of the next highest ranked player in the field. The other players who already participated in the first Grand Prix in Baku, are Peter Svidler (RUS), Alexander Grischuk (RUS), Sergey Karjakin (UKR), Gata Kamsky (USA), Ivan Cheparinov (BUL) and David Navara (CZE). For Levon Aronian (ARM), Boris Gelfand (ISR), Dmitry Jakovenko (RUS, the host city's nominated player) and Mohamad Al Modiahki (QTR), Sochi 2008 will be the first Grand Prix tournament. The event is a category 19 with an average rating of 2708.

Sochi is very close to the Russian border with Georgia. It is famous for its spectacular scenery, with the snow-capped peaks of the Caucasus Mountains overlooking the gentle shores of the Black Sea. The resort has a temperate climate and boasts many sanatoria and mineral baths.

To put things in perspective here is the location of Sochi on a map of Russia:

Round one report

Dance number at the festive opening ceremony

... including acting and comedy-drama

The players – and guest of honour Anatoly Karpov – are encouraged to participate

The drawing of colours – here with Boris Gelfand getting the number three

The game Alexander Grischuk vs Sergey Karjakin – Grischuk won in 41 moves

The second decisive game: Mohamad Al-Modiahki vs Radjabov – Radjabov won in 48

Videos by Europe Echecs

FIDE Grand Prix Sochi 2008 – Schedule and results

Links Tournament web site All games in PGN The games are being broadcast live on the official web site and on the chess server Playchess.com. If you are not a member you can download ChessBase Light, which gives you immediate access. You can also use it to read, replay and analyse the PGN games. Download free PGN reader ChessBase Light