The first round of the World Chess Cup has kicked off in Baku, Azerbaijan.

206 men and 106 women are taking part in the competition. The chess players who take the first three places will have the right to compete for the world chess crown.

The championship prize fund, which is held for the tenth time among men and the second time among women, is more than $2.5 million.

For the first place, the chess player will be awarded $111 thousand, for the second – $80 thousand, for the third and fourth places – $50 thousand each. According to the rules of the competition, each chess player who took part in the stages from 1/128 to 1/4 finals will also receive a certain amount of prize money.

Uzbekistan’s Nodirbek Abdusattorov, Javokhir Sindorov, Nodirbek Yoqubboyev, Shamsiddin Vokhidov, and Nilufar Yoqubboyeva will perform at the World Cup.

The World Chess Cup will run until 24 August.

T. Ruziyev, UzA