 The colours had to be decided in a unique way by white and black pearls hidden inside two seashells.Anand picked the white pearl that decided that United States as top seeds in the open event would play with the white pieces on the top board of the first round and Dzagnidze picked the black one that determined Russia as top seeds in the women's event to play with black on board one of the same round.The opening ceremony ended with fireworks displayed above the Black Sea Arena.