I would like to note that the Turkish Chess Federation has not formally responded yet. Therefore, let’s not jump into any conclusion until all the facts are available. I will post the response from the organizers as soon as I have it.
Scandal in Turkey
This letter was yesterday sent to FIDE, Ilyumzhinov and Gelfer.
Dear Mr. President,
I write to you with great concern following what seems as a serious incident that occurred. Today during the closing ceremony of the world junior championships held in Turkey. Happily our girl junior player, Marcel Efroymsky, has won the world title and the gold medal. As costumed in such events, the delegations prepared to stand and salute the national anthem of the winner’s country.
Astonishingly and without any warning, the organizers decided to cancel the playing of the winners anthem . The Turkish organization has offered a ridiculous explanation that they do not have the time to spend on such event.
This excuse is absurd in light of the same venue hosting this event two years ago where all winner anthems were played! In there actions, the organizers demonstrated disrespect to the junior winners, their federation and their countries.
As chairman of the Israeli chess federation, I herby urge you to investigate this incident. I must say that this kind of boycott (if such occurred) strikes as a another example of how politics interferes with chess. I call you as president of the FIDE, for which the tournament carried your flag, to investigate this issue and if the information appeared to be accurate, then to denounce this disrespectful conduct if the information.
My feeling is, that such events hurt chess in general and send the wrong message the children who dream to become chess champions taking pride in representing their countries.
Yours truly,
Aviv Bushinsky
Chairman of the Israeli chess Federation
Antisemitism is alive and well…
Terrible! Not as bad as Tripoli 2004, but I did not expect such an action from Turkey.
Did they skip all winners anthems, or just this one?
If this is true, Turkey will not have World Youth Chess Championships in the future.
Just one bronze medal for the Turks, must be a disappointment for a nation aspiring to become a strong chess nation.
They would have found time for the national anthems if they had won a gold medal.
The result of Iran (3 gold medals) is surprising by the way.
This is a test of FIDE’s Integrity.
I hope they pass, my son expressed interest in having a FIDE rating last night…
Michigan Chess Dad
It make no sense to play the national anthem for an individual winner.
And this person says that he does not like that people make politics out of chess. In fact it is only he who does that.
As I understand they canceled all winners anthems, in this case why not? Probably there were dissapointed by own results. What is the point? Probably Mr. Aviv is very dissapointed that he could not hear Iranian anthem for three times? As I remembered last year in Vietnam there were no anthems.
12 categories – team and individual + overall = 25 anthems?
I agree with Pelle
3D games of World Youth Chess
Championship in Turkey 2009:
U8, U10, U12, U14, U16, U18
Sorry about some bugs inside.
There is a reply from the President of the Turkish Chess Federation, Ali Nihat Yazici,and publised in Chessbase.com. I think you shold publish here.
Dear ChessBase,
2009 World Youth Chess Championships, were organised in Antalya with very good conditions. We did not get any complaint for the event – on the contrary we got much positive feedbacks.
Let me explain you that in the 2009 World Youth Chess Championships closing ceremony, after consultation with FIDE authorities in Antalya in advance, a long time before the final round, we decided not to play any national anthems. You should understand that, as you mentioned on your website, twelve anthems would last at least 50 minutes, and considering the very young players and many guests it would have been torture to them.
So no anthems were played, not even the national anthem of Turkey, or the anthem of FIDE.
Today when I read your website, and this scandalous letter of ICF, I was shocked. This kind of news may get attention, but it does not contribute to our eminent sport. On the contrary, such as approach can only help to get politics into chess, which all we are afraid and very far. We had always excellent relations with Israel Chess Federation without any problem, we do not share the comment on the official protest of their chairman. We think that also that scandalous letter does not have any base on the board of Israel Chess Federation. We will make official explanation to related diplomatic missions. However, I should say that by listening a parent, and not a good friend, the chairman of Israel Chess Federation went very far passing all limits. That is a shame for chess which tries to make world a peaceful place.
Best regards,
Ali Nihat YAZICI
President
This is a disgrace. Of course no anthems were played because they realized an Israeli had won gold. It was the only way to wriggle out. Playing all anthems would be “torture” to the little children…my foot!