The participants of the candidates tournament reveal their mood before the start of the event.

Levon Aronian:

– I approach the candidates tournament in a good mood, because I like being in Khanty-Mansiysk. I like this place very much, in addition I am very friendly with local Armenian diaspora, and feel at home here. I don’t know whether they’d come to support me, but I am sure many chess fans are coming, and it makes me happy and motivated.

Shakhriyar Mamedyarov:

– Assessing my mood is kinda hard. Generally it is good I guess. It is my seventh visit to Khanty-Mansiysk, I don’t think I played more often elsewhere. I got used to playing here, had both good and bad results. This time I should do my best.

Sergey Karjakin:

– I am in an excellent mood! I did everything I could to prepare for this tournament. Of course I always try to think critically and look for possible improvements, but I really think I did my best, and let’s see what happens.

Vladimir Kramnik:

– I always start tournaments in a good mood, but not always finish like this. Right now everything is okay, I am quite comfortable in Khanty-Mansiysk. I enjoyed being here during the 2010 Olympiad – it’s a nice small town, and nothing distracts from playing. And from now on my mood will change after each round, depending on my game and results.

Peter Svidler:

– I feel excited and nervous. Don’t expect anything wrong from Khanty-Mansiysk, I always liked playing here.

Vishy Anand:

– I didn’t have a chance to see the town, although I am here for two days already. Mostly stay in a hotel, just walked in a park a bit. In my country it is +30, and here the temperature is below zero… It is not too pleasant to walk when snow is melting, but I can imagine how nice it is in summer. As for the game, I am in a mood to fight, and will play day by day.

Veselin Topalov:

– I am optimistic! This is my second time in Khanty-Mansiysk, but I thought it would be colder. So this weather is a nice surprise. Everything is great so far!

Dmitry Andreikin:

– I am in an excellent mood, everything is fine. I am always happy to play in Khanty-Mansiysk, however, my results here were not very good. I busted early from both World Cups. Must improve now!