Off to the World Cup

I’m sitting at the Pearson Airport, with some time to kill before flying to Russia. Second time to Khanty-Mansiysk in less than a year, this time for the World Cup.

I will be playing against GM Riazantsev, ranked 50th in the world, in the first round. I don’t know when I will be coming back. Hopefully not too soon. It’s somewhat ridiculous that chess players (including myself) hope to qualify for the World Cup, to go to Khanty-Mansiysk, and half the players will be gone within a week. But such is life.

From a spectator’s point of view, the World Cup is great. People getting knocked out every round, there is always action. It’s the playoffs, with round robin tournaments being the regular season. More is on the line.

For the players, the first round can resemble a boxing match. We know the enemy and we prepare for him for an extended period of time. Prepared for every jab, we are preparing our own hooks.

This is an exclusive tournament. I will report back when I am home. Time for work. Game one is on Sunday.

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