Go to: Commentary Games Players tsh Reports Scoreboard Standings Photos Prizes

Back to 2012 King's Cup Live Coverage

2012 King's Cup Commentary: Round 17

[ ]

Go to: Before the Tournament, Round 1, Round 2, Round 3, Round 4, Round 5, Round 6, Round 7, Round 8, Round 9, Round 10, Round 11, Round 12, Round 13, Round 14, Round 15, Round 16, Round 17, Round 18, Round 19, Round 20, Round 21, Round 22, Round 23, Round 24, Round 25, Round 26, Round 27, Round 28, Round 29, Final Round 1, Final Round 2.

About a third of games have to be interrupted soon after they start, as the royal protocol liaison advised us that it was time to rehearse the parade of nations for the opening ceremony.

Any doubts I had about the necessity of the rehearsal were eliminated when I saw an organizer spend a full minute trying to explain to a player that when he stood before the princess, he was to bow respectfully toward her, and not away from her and toward the audience.

This took about 15 minutes, and all but one game resumed in time to finish before the arrival of Her Royal Highness Princess Soamsavali, The Princess Mother of the King's First Grandchild.

The opening ceremony begins with a very brief video presentation, followed by a solo musical performance, and a parade of marching bands. The players from each country are then led by a flag-bearer to the stage to offer their respects to the princess, then stand in formation before her. The Nigerians are looking colourful in their national costumes; all of the Asian players are nattily dressed in formal attire; and Helen Gipson (Sco) is looking fetching in an outfit that I will leave to more fashion-conscious readers to describe.

Photography is not permitted during the actual ceremony, but as in past years, I have tried to photograph the players in costume during the rehearsal so that you get an idea of what the real event looked like.

It looks like things are wrapping up now, so we can continue with our play. A confetti gun has just gone off one one side of the stage, which should make for a colourful and festive experience for players playing games on that side of the stage for the rest of the day.

The last game reports in after I have already assumed a tie for pairing purposes. I was not far off; the final result was Bundit Chomkularb (THA) 414, Paul Lister (NZL) 413.

I am calming down now, as the network seems to be behaving itself now. I look forward to whatever challenges the afternoon may present.