Romanian Olympic Team will not participate in the 2010 Chess Olympiad!

Breaking News (I am withholding the name of the person who sent me this information)

Romanian Olympic Chess Team will not participate in the 2010 Chess Olympiad!

This is a letter by GM Dieter Liviu Nisipeanu to the Romanian Chess Federation and signed by the team members (Google translation).

The Board’s attention FRSah

Dear members of the CD,

Your attention the following problem in Olympic teams around the departure of the Romanian Chess Olympiad in 2010 in Khanty Mansiysk. As you know, after the completion of the Olympic teams, captains appointed by the Romanian Chess Federation have negotiated with the players participation fees for the Olympics. This system is practiced all over the world, except maybe Africa and the major powers of chess fees are extremely consistent.

It was jointly decided to pay 70% initially (I did not know when this percentage fee when I was guaranteed even by Mr. President, at a meeting LDNisipeanu CD) of the amount, the rest will be adjusted according to final results.

With three weeks before the Olympics, players were informed that they will receive only 50% of the amount (with a deadline of three days when I had to give the answer, because the federation can change the team in case of refusal. Although it seemed outrageous, I gave the answer in due time, in order not to confuse things even more Nisipeanu-LD) and expressed surprise when, response has been extremely tough. No excuses, no promises that the difference will be paid in the shortest time, but only accusations of lack of patriotism and threats of suspension and pathetic attempts to replace the players.

Unlike the clumsy attitude, respect and above all a special aggression, obviously most players refusing to play. We attach the message to convince President FRSAH personal truth of our words.

Unlike the above mentioned problem we want to make the following remarks:

– All signatories to this letter are grandmasters and former or current national champions in individual and team, and Dieter Nisipeanu was European champion in 2005

– All have played several fees Olympics with symbolic (and sometimes without)

– Roman elite players, not giving them anything FRSAH: paid individual participation in the European champion and World Cup participation where players can qualify 1-2

– There are plenty of paying stipends Federations 5-6 regular players of the country’s first

-In Olympic years the main objective is to participate in the Olympics and not throw money on minor actions as has happened

– Romanian chess player status is pitiful and if there would be 3-4 strong clubs we have no reliable source of subsistence

In this situation contributes FRSAH years and who, despite promises made in election, not ever find sponsors, do not advertise at all chess (the recent Super League there was no journalist or a television)

Absence is ridiculously small amount (2000 euros for the whole team!) And invoking the crisis is embarrassing. Federation probably be able to borrow from the Clubs, if the president, vice-presidents and others are so poor.

Here but not about the money, but rather the principles or the lack thereof.

There is one word, honor and above all a respect for some athletes who, through their performance on nationally and internationally, he deserves some consideration.

We must emphasize in conclusion that the accusations of lack of patriotism can be removed immediately due to individual I played so many Olympic and European championships fees symbolic (and sometimes without).

I sent this letter to justify our non-participation because no matter how we want to play, we can not descend below the minimum of dignity that we have won it in its performance.

Romanian Chess Federation, through its employees and persons “appointed” should deal with sending players to the Olympics in the best possible conditions, not with threats and ultimatums to suspend a few awkward hours.

Sincerely,
Grandmaster Dieter Nisipeanu
Grandmaster Constantin Lupulescu
Grandmaster Vladike Nevednichi
Grandmaster Mircea Parligras

And this is the letter from the Romanian Chess Federation (Google translation)

Romanian to English translation