Following the recent dramatic developments in South Ossetia and the public reaction of certain chess players concerning the World Women’s Championship in Nalchik (Russia), I would like to emphasize that mixing politics with sports is clearly against the spirit of the international chess community. Always and everywhere. From my side I cannot see any alternative other than organising this event as planned and doing everything possible in order for all participants of the World Championship to arrive in Nalchik and start, without any postponement, the battle for the highest title in women’s chess.
Gens Una Sumus!
Boris Kutin
President of the European Chess Union
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
What a sarcasm- people who introduced politics into chess, and therefore are ruining its image for years (scare away sponsors), are now taking a position that chess and politics should not mix. It’s unacceptable to change the venue of the Women’s World Championship 4 times in a year, and finally hold it in a war zone.
I agree. And what is this rubbish about politics anyway? Had it been because of an argument or suchlike, fine — but not wanting people in needless danger, and not wanting people to get needlessly hurt or worse is not politics, it is pure sense and reason.
Check http://goddesschess.blogspot.com/
for additionl comments on this travesty.
If Russians are going to attack the tournament, I will KRUSH them with my King and bad sportsmanship.
Kutin and Kirsan are planning on giving me DEATH THREATS! I saw it in the eyes of Dr. Phil. Dr. Phil was blinking to me using Morse Code that Kirsan is going to KILL ME through Kutin’s decision to continue the Women’s World Championship. He plans on programming the women to vacation in St. Kitts and instruct them to KILL ME using alien technology.
If you find me DEAD with an alien probe in my butt, you can remember you saw it here first!
Absolutely rubbish! Hello! Bobby Fischer and Boris Spassky played in Yugoslavia during a war and they also played during a cold war – both events went off flawlessly. The only problem I see is for Topalov who’s country lies pretty close to the Russian border. He had better make sure he loses his match to Kamsky or Putin will see to it that his country rejoins the eastern block by force!
Is NYC a safer place? My guess is the war will stop once the gals start playing!?
I this a bad play, or are we wanting to send chessplayers into a warzone? I don’t think Russia is going to stop the war because of the chess activities taking place.
Very unsensitive and corrupt leaders are not thinking of the safety of the players first. Funny that they don’t realise that they put not only the players in great risk but the whole championship.
Nalchik is not in war zone!!!
Life in Nalchik is no different than it has been 14 days or 1 year ago.
I forgot to mention:
If Nalchik is in war zone, then Sochi is too. But I didn’t hear anyone requesting to stop the Grand prix there.
Hi,
The sport can not be split from life and politics of course. That appel is like not to mix drinking and eating.
The Russia is the country which is leading the war vs Georgia and for sure the Georgian players can not play in Russia. It is not safety for the others, too. The tournment shall be played in neutral country.
I think that players shall push on that.
Rgds
Pony
And where exactly would that be???
Remember that Kirsan’s friend in Nalchik stepped in only because there were no other biders.
Iceland or Greenland.
Where the war is no time for play.
Rgds
Pony
Well why didn’t they make a bid to host the event then?
Nobody wanted to organise it.
Why not Hastings, the Phillipines, or even this place?