Day two of the Olympiad in Khanty-Mansiysk, Russia.

Three teams have perfect scores in each event after two rounds, with some heavyweight clashes in prospect tomorrow.
Four of the five (!) Russian teams are amongst the leading group.
Some new videos

There was some discussion and dissent at the Captain's Meeting about the fact that the home country was possibly going to have five teams competing and, as expected, they are already making an impact!

In the Open event 32 teams (including Russia, 1, 2, 3 & 5!) have won both matches with three of these, Ukraine, Poland and Georgia, managing 8/8. Just behind them are the USA, India, Estonia and Russia (2) on 7.5/8.

In the Women's event Slovakia, Germany and Serbia have yet to drop even half-a-point. Six teams are just off the pace: China, Ukraine, Georgia, India, Poland and Romania on 7.5/8. In total 26 teams have won both matchs so far.

The pairing system is quite complicated but, in a nutshell, teams on the same match points are paired together where possible. These are sorted and then paired in such a way as those that have the most games points are paired against those with the least. See the 'results' site to see how it works in practice!

The playing venue (a big tennis centre) is in the main photo with its two distinct playing halls.

Some new videos from our friends from Europe Echecs.

I've never seen water-melon carvings before but here they seem to have a taste for it!?

Tasteful art. ©Chessanytime.com

I came across the following powerful image on my travels. Perhaps it was an intentional affect (cleverly thought out by the designers), but looking up with the light shining through it felt dramatic!

No, they are not chess pieces, I just liked the statue! ©chessanytime.com

For more information go to the Official site

To follow the results Official site

Here are some players that caught my eye.

Aronian leads the Armenian team that have won the two previous two Olympiads. ©Chessanytime.com
Agrest under the lights. ©Chessanytime.com
The US Women's No.1 Irina Krush. ©Chessanytime.com
Smile of the day!©chessanytime.com

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