The first round of this European championship of jubilee started with a lot of surprising results and interesting games, a fact which promisses a spectacular fight for the title of the champion of our continent.
As usually, according to the tournament rules, in the first round best rated players meet much less rated opponents playing the role of favourits in such games. However, once more it has been proved that such a status one must confirm over the board.  The most illustrous names who slippered already in the first round are: Areshchenko (UKR, 12th by rating), Grachev (RUS, 22nd), Aleksandrov (BLR, 34th), Ivanisevic (SER, 39th), Wojtaszek (POL, 55th). Even more higher rated players didn't manage to break the balance and were obliged to split the point with their lower rated opponents, Vallejo Pons (ESP, 1st by rating) and Malakhov (RUS, 4th) being the most illustrous names.
The same trend was seen in the second round as well, with the only difference that there was less surprising losses and much more draws. This time illustrous victims were Cheparinov (BUG, 9th by rating), Malakhov (RUS, 10th) and Jobava (GEO, 15th).
If we look at the standing after two rounds, we shall see that there are 38 players with the perfect score. Surprisingly enough, in this group there are only 14 players from those who are among 62 best rated participants who are all rated over 2600.
The 3rd round is on schedule tomorrow.