![World Cup Final Underway](https://images.chesscomfiles.com/uploads/v1/news/18936.e980b118.668x375o.099a6aafdfee@2x.jpg)
World Cup Final Underway
The 2009 World Cup Final between Boris Gelfand and Ruslan Ponomariov has started in Khanty-Mansiysk. The final is decided by a four-game match, with rapid tiebreaks if necessary - let's hope not.
Ponomariov had the white pieces in the first game, and was not afraid to take on Gelfand in his favourite Petroff defence. A principled decision, or poor strategy?
Ponomariov defended his opening choice after the game, saying "What, so now we should not play 1. e2-e4 at all? Do you mean that chess can be considered dead because of the Petroff defense?" More brief translations of the after-game press conference are here.
However, "Super" Ponomariov could make no headway and a draw by perpetual check was reached after 37 moves.
The final begins. Picture from the official site.