Jermuk Grand Prix starts

The opening ceremonies were a spectacular event, covered live on Armenia’s Public TV channel and witnessed by nearly 3000 people who crowded around the central pond in the quaint center of Jermuk, Armenia. Spectators were treated to a variety of live songs, a retrospective short film about World Champion Tigran Petrosian, speeches by the President of Armenia Serge Sargsyan and President of FIDE Kirsan Iljumdzhinov as well as a clip documenting the last two Olympiad victories by Armenia’s national team. The participants had a unique vantage point, viewing the entertainment while cruising around the pond on a motorized raft while enduring the evening cold temperatures. The drawing of the lots took place on the raft itself, and after a final vocal presentation, the participants steered back to dry land to return to their rooms and get ready for round 1, which will begin at 3:00PM local time (GMT+4).

Round 1 pairings:

SNo. Name Rtg Res. Name Rtg SNo.

1 GM Inarkiev Ernesto 2675 – GM Leko Peter 2756 14
2 GM Ivanchuk Vassily 2703 – GM Aronian Levon 2768 13
3 GM Alekseev Evgeny 2714 – GM Akopian Vladimir 2712 12
4 GM Cheparinov Ivan 2678 – GM Jakovenko Dmitry 2760 11
5 GM Kamsky Gata 2717 – GM Bacrot Etienne 2721 10
6 GM Kasimdzhanov Rustam 2672 – GM Karjakin Sergey 2717 9
7 GM Gelfand Boris 2755 – GM Eljanov Pavel 2716 8

Official website: http://jermuk2009.fide.com/