"The third place of the U17 section, let's give a round applause for Javokhir Bozorov to Uzbekistan!"
As the announcer spoke the name, an Uzbek boy who looked quite similar to Javokhir Sindarov, the strong GM who managed to force a draw against Sheva in the Tata Steel Chess a month ago, rose from his seat. It was followed by the polite cheers from all the people here, yet anyone with clear eyes could see that the boy was unhappy.
Oh, he was smiling politely, even joking around with the organizer at the podium. However, his expression was so sour, as if he just swallowed a whole lemon for himself.
"Heh, that's your expression when your name is called for the gold medal in the last Olympiad, Shev," Bagas whispered, nudging at his best friend teasingly. Sheva himself felt the corner of his mouth twitching, yet he ignored that, just following the others as he applauded the boy on the podium.
