Former Women’s World Champion Maia Chiburdanidze
Report: Georgian chess team won’t play in Russia
ASSOCIATED PRESS
11:23 a.m. August 15, 2008
MOSCOW – The Interfax news agency says the women’s national chess team in Georgia is refusing to play in the World Women’s Chess Championship because it will be held in Russia.
The team’s refusal stems from the conflict between Georgia and Russia over the breakaway region of South Ossetia.
Interfax quoted Maya Lomineishvili, a member of the team, as saying it is not boycotting the championship, but rather refusing to play in Russia.
The tournament is scheduled to begin in two weeks in Nalchik, Russia, about 100 kilometers (60 miles) from the South Ossetian border.
Boris Kutin, president of the European Chess Federation, says on the event’s Web site that he cannot see an alternative to holding the event as planned.
Source: http://www.signonsandiego.com/
Here is the original protest letter by the Georgian women.
Er…wrong Maya?
Not clear why they refuse to play in Russia.
Is it a political protest or fear for their safety?
OK, I read the letter.
Safety it is.
How can anyone concentrate on chess in such an environment. I do not blame them for not going. I would not go. They should definitely move the tournament out of the war zone.
Personally I hope players would refuse to play in the Russian Federation because of the Russian governments recent actions.
On the other hand one has to wonder if having competitions in politically unstable areas is sensible. As Nalchik has had its own problems not so long ago.
The aggressor refuses to play in Russia.
Pathetic!
Finnaly we are getting to the bottom of this.
I somewhat understand the decision, however it is not a matter of Nalchik and safety. It has everything to do with Georgians not wanting to do anything with Russia.
I can only repeat what I said before:
Nalchik is not in war-zone and it never was. Life in Nalchik is the same as it was before the conflict. So there is absolutely no reason why Women world champmionship can’t be played there.
I regret that we won’t see Georgians players there, but what can you do if they want to exclude themselves.
Their decision of not going there IS political.
“Dear members of FIDE presidential Board, It was a great surprise to find out that the World Women’s Championship 2008 was scheduled to be held in Nalchik, as it is well known from the news that North Caucasus region is a very dangerous and nonsecure place. Canadian travel advisory page tells to avoid all Travel and has the following information:
“OFFICIAL WARNING: Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against all travel to the Chechen Republic or the neighbouring North Caucasus region, including North Ossetia, Ingushetia, Dagestan and Kabardino-Balkaria, but excluding Stavropol Krai and the Republic of Karachaevo-Cherkessia. Canadians in Chechnya should leave. The security situation is unstable and dangerous. Heavy military activity, terrorist bombings, kidnappings, and unexploded mines and munitions are widespread. Canadians contemplating travel to Chechnya despite this warning are taking serious and unwarranted risks. The ability of the Embassy of Canada in Moscow or Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada to render assistance is severely limited or non-existent.”
Under this circumstances I would like to express a great regret to the decission of FIDE presidential Board to held the 2008 World Women’s Championship in this region and cancel my participation.
If there will be change and the Championship will be scheduled for a different location I would be happy to play.
Sincerely,
Natalia Khoudgarian”
Is also Natalia Khoudgarian decision political? IMHO, FIDE’s decision IS political to host the World Championship in Nalchik- close to bombing. FIDE’s decisions are political, as they are made by Russian politicians.
What is the problem?
Have the Women World Championship in Nalchik or do not have it completely.
Nobody would like to run it, I think the previous three championships were in Russia (Moscow 2001, Elista 2004, Ekaterinburg 2006).
2006 World Youth Championship in Batumi was run without Russians, Belorussians and some Europenian countries like Great Britain, France, Spain, due to also security reason. So what?
Nobody in New York, London or Paris would like to run it.
Nalchik is not the best choice ever, but we do not have another one. This championship already was moved twice from Argentina to Turkey and than to Russia.
Just for your information, no politics:
it was Georgia who starts the war, not Russia.
It is like chess: white moves first, than black. Sometimes black wins.
Perhaps some day there will be no war and hatred in the world.
“Perhaps some day there will be no war and hatred in the world.”
Yes, when everyone realizes that chess is the root of all evil and everyone decides to play checkers instead.
…and when laws are passed to allow the death penalty for serial litigants.
We have an international crisis – and all you are worried about is whether some chess players attend an event!
Please get some perspective on life.
“Please get some perspective on life.”
All Americans have lied at one point or another.
“We have an international crisis – and all you are worried about is whether some chess players attend an event!
Please get some perspective on life.”
It’s a chess blog.
Thank goodness Russia is finally coming back to the glory years of the Soviet Union and taking its property back from those that have stolen it. Now that Putin is a capitalist I hope the West will love the new Soviet Union. This invasion of Georgia should not be a concern anyway as it was always a part of Russia to begin with. I am sure Europe will het used to it. Hopefully, if the world does not object China can reclain Taiwan too. I say all rightful parts of all rightful countries should return.
Return Germany to the tender mercies of the Russians cum Soviets. How wonderful it will be and imagine the millions of German voices rising as they are rescued from the chains of imperialism and capitalism. Oh how wonderful!! Russia will be the saviour of us all.
Everybody knows Georgia is the aggressor in this conflict, so such refusal serves only Saakashvili’s politics, nothing more.
There will be peace when Russia glows a lovely hue of green radiation.
This is what the children of gog and magog have coming to them.
Checkmate.
For those who has no idea whats going on and why the georgians refuse to play in Nalchik!!
http://goddesschess.blogspot.com/2008/08/south-ossetians-looting-and-worse-in.html
http://www.interpressnews.com
Russian dezinformation!!! All normal and conscious people, russians including, know that russia is agressor! this is not new.. just remember Czechoslovakia in 1968 and russian tanks in Prague!
Now rusiian army marauds in Georgia – this is actually why they are in my homeland.. they are leaving Georgia and takeing everything with them – from WC-s to motorboats..
M.B.
when fide is so proud about its slogan “gens una sumus” (we are one family) why they don’t care about the members of their family?
they know clearly – Georgians would have huge problems there, but they dont care about!!
Geogians perpetrated Genocide against the Ossetian people,Saakashvili should be brought in front of the European Court of Justice.
to all anonimous:
pathetic..
Russia lost its empire and now wants a do-over lol! Shame.
They had such a superb opportunity to join civilized and democratic countries but have chosen another path. Foolish. Stupid. Evil.
I like Russia. It does my will.