This day started with many players subdued. Even those who had played well in round one, a simple nod in the mouth-watering ambience of the Indian resturant they call Galaxy, was looking like an effort. IN and OUT, is what all were doing. The Indian playing contingent is seemingly split down the middle by age and gender. It always is the youthful TRIO Sasikiran, Harikrishna & Gangully who will be talking and laughing whisperly (Not to mention the strange eating habit of one Sasikiran: He douses his plain rice with water, then proceed to munch it with his bare hands!)

While the two brothers suffered convincing defeats; IM Watu Kobese at the hands of the teenage rising star GM Teimour Radjabov, and GM Hicham Hamdouchi at the hands of Mohammad Al-Modiaki, the young Indians had a roaring success! Sasikiran dazzled World Cup holder Anand with the Reti to the delight of All India! Gangully smacked the no.2 seed Russian Alexander Morozovich!

IM Kobese was abnormally still upbeat. After some inter-winking between himself and the sculpted Yermolator, he proceeded to shake the hand of teen-star Radjabov. The Kid was to many who observed, a little panicky. Perhaps because of the dashes to and fro the internet late in the evening maybe searching for Kobese's games. He settled non-the-less in front of the "closed book" his opponent is refered to by one GM." Where the hell does he play chess of late?"

IM Watu played some strange looking moves early in the game. It is as if because no one was watching his freezed monitor amongst the Twelve men section's. The Kid suddenly eased in tension and started walking about. Kobese's game was over before it begun. Many were easing into middlegames and some opted for draws when he resigned. The reception manager saw the two emerge amongst those with early draws and looked at me with total admiration and congratulated me, "Your man got a quick draw with black, that is now very good!" I noticed why he chose me!!! Two reasons: One because I am Black, only three of us here IM Kobese, FIDE Executive Omuku and yours truly. The other is a silly one: The card I am wearing says I am "Coach!" Hell, "This is why Watu played so bad," Mr. Campomanes, FIDE Hon. President quipped. "A patzer like me coaching Watu," I thought to myself! Attempts to change the card status failed but have now grown to like it... it quietly gives me fantastic illusions of granduar!