The Dubai Chess Open 2013, one of the traditional events in the chess calendar, has started at the Chess and Culture Club in Dubai. A total of 39 GMs and 100 titled players are participating. Among them top seeded are GM Vladimir Akopian, GM Viktor Laznicka, GM Romain Edouard, GM Yuriy Kryvoruchko, GM Gabriel Sargissian, GM Tigran Petrosian, GM Andrei Istratescu, GM Ivan Sokolov, GM Amin Bassem, GM Mikheil Mchedlishvili, GM Yang Wen, GM Surya Shekhar Ganguly, GM Yuriy Kuzubov, GM Jaan Ehlvest, and GM Mircea-Emilian Parligras, all above 2600 ELO.
In the first round there were no major surprises, as all 2600+ players won their games. In the 2500+ field GMs Iordachescu, Gupta, and Adhiban were held to draws. Scroll down for the full results of round 1.
Here is a long video by the renowned producer Vijay Kumar, including interview with with Narayanan Srinath who won the Asian Junior Championship.
Amazing field.