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In the other Russian derby, Sergey Karjakin and Peter Svidler fought in the Taimanov Sicilian. White quickly expanded in the center, while black looked for his chances on the queenside.

The black knight remained strained on the edge of the board, but it still performed an important function of defending the f5-square.

Apparently neither of the players saw a possibility to create winning chances and the game ended with moves repetition.

The FIDE World Candidates Tournament 2014 started Thursday at the beautiful playing venue in Ugra Chess Academy in Khanty-Mansiysk.

Dmitry Andreikin and Vladimir Kramnik, the World Cup 2013 finalists, were paired in the first round of the Candidates Tournament.

The players moved quickly through the opening, in the line of Nimzo-Indian defence which Kramnik used before with great success.

The position quickly simplified into an equal rook endgame and the competitors signed a draw on move 32.

Live video stream from the Candidates 2014, with Peter Heine Nielsen and Viktorija Cmilyte. This video stream is also available in Russian here

Follow the games with analysis and chat here

The 21st Annual Western Class Championships were held from March 7-9, 2014, at the Sheraton Agoura Hills Hotel, 30100 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills, California.

The event had 7 sections: Master, Expert, Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D and Class E.

The 18th Annual Mid-America Open will be held from March 14-16, 2014, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel St. Louis-Clayton, 7750 Carondelet Ave., St. Louis, Missouri.

The event has 7 sections: Open, Under 2100, Under 1900, Under 1700, Under 1500, Under 1300 and Under 1000.

All sections have either 3-day (March 14-16) or 2-day (March 15-16) schedules to play in.

The event has a $20,000 prize fund, based on 250 entries, with $16,000 minimum guaranteed.

Chessdom: Here we are with the FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov. Mr. Ilyumzhinov, Khanty Mansiysk is hosting once again the world’s chess elite.

CHOPIN – the Chess Openings 24/7 online service is a chess opening database for all chess enthusiasts – professionals or amateurs.

ChessBet.com, the website that offers free betting on chess events, has launched a prediction competition for the Candidates 2014.

The Candidates Tournament 2014 has been officially opened in Khanty Mansiysk. In the presence of the FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, the flags of the participating countries have been brought to stage, followed by a musical program.

After a long trip, Chessdom has arrived in Khanty Mansiysk. In the following days expect many detailed reports from the Candidates, minute by minute updates, and the breaking news as they happen.

Here are the first photos of the playing hall. Everything is ready, the pieces are set on the boards, and the large screens have been checked and functioning.

Update: View the photos as a slideshow here