This very prestigious and strong event started yesterday in Thessaloniki, Greece.
Opening ceremony during which there was a drawing of lots
(Photo taken from the official site)
Technical meeting was also held yesterday.
(photo taken from the official site)
Games will be played today at 2pm local time. Participants are:
Bacrot, Etienne FRA GM 2725
Caruana, Fabiano ITA GM 2774
Dominguez Perez, Leinier CUB GM 2723
Grischuk, Alexander RUS GM 2779
Ivanchuk, Vassily UKR GM 2755
Kamsky, Gata USA GM 2741
Kasimdzhanov, Rustam UZB GM 2699
Morozevich, Alexander RUS GM 2760
Nakamura, Hikaru USA GM 2775
Ponomariov, Ruslan UKR GM 2742
Svidler, Peter RUS GM 2769
Topalov, Veselin BUL GM 2793
Radjabov was supposed to play in this tournament but was recently replaced by Bacrot.
Pairings of the first round
GM Topalov Veselin 2793 – GM Grischuk Alexander 2779
GM Kamsky Gata 2741 – GM Dominguez Perez Leinier 2723
GM Ponomariov Ruslan 2742 – GM Caruana Fabiano 2774
GM Ivanchuk Vassily 2755 – GM Morozevich Alexander 2760
GM Svidler Peter 2769 – GM Bacrot Etienne 2725
GM Kasimdzhanov Rustam 2699 – GM Nakamura Hikaru 2775