World Women Ch Saga Continues
22 August 2008, 15.21 CET | Last modified: 15:25 | By Peter Doggers | Filed under: Reports | Tags:
Today it’s time for a 3rd update on the Women World Championship saga. More players have cancelled their participation and FIDE President Ilyumzhinov wrote a letter to Georgian President Saakashvili.
The developments around the World Women Championship, scheduled for August 28 – September 18 in Nalchik, already led to a heated debate at our site. New developments keep on coming.
Two days ago, in a reaction to Chessbase’s publication of the open letter of the Georgian players, Maia Lomineishvili remarked that eight more (non-Georgian!) players withdrew as well:
Dear ChessBase,
I would like to remark that when FIDE and the Organizing Comitee write that the open letter was written by Georgian chess players they never say that it was later signed by eight more players from different countrys. They all agree with us 100%, that this champioship should be moved to another place. Here are their names:
1. Irina Krush, USA
2. Claudia Amura, Argentina
3. Monica Socko, Poland
4. Iweta Rajlich, Poland
5. Anna Gasik, Poland
6. Ketino Kachiani-Gersinska
7. Tea Lanchava-Bosboom, The Netherlands
8. Marie Sebag, FranceThese are playes whom we were able to contact. I’m sure that if we had the emails of others they would suport us as well. So, please, if you have a chance, ask them to contact us at one of the following addresses:
* info@gcf.org.ge
* wchampionship@yahoo.comMany thanks and best regards
IM Maia Lomineishvili, Georgia
In an attempt to save the Women World Championship, FIDE President Ilyumzhinov has now asked for Georgian President Saakashvili’s assistence:
Elista, 21 August 2008
Mr. M. Saakashvili
President Republic of GeorgiaDear Mikhail Nikolozovich!
I am addressing my letter to you on behalf of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and millions of aficionados of the wisest game on the planet in respect of the statement of the Georgian Chess Federation regarding participation of Georgia's representatives in the Women's World Chess Championship.
Following the decision of the FIDE Presidential Board regarding the said tournament, it is scheduled to be held in Nalchik, Kabardino-Balkaria, Russian Federation, from 28 August to 18 September 2008.
Six Georgian sportswomen- Maia Chiburdanidze, Leila Dzhavahishvili, Sopio Gvetadze, Maia Lomineishvili, Sopiko Khukhashvili, Nino Khurtsidze ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú received the right of participation, having gone through a most difficult process of selection, or, by a personal invitation, due to personal high rating. Highly esteemed Nona Terentievna Gaprindashvili has been appointed a member of the appeals committee of the tournament. Mr. Evgeni Melikset-Begi ?¢‚Ǩ‚Äú is a member of a arbiters' board. Thus, it was supposed that the Georgian representation be one of the largest at this most prestigious event in women's chess. I think that one should not mention the level of authority and respect which is being enjoyed in the world by the Georgian chess school and its representatives, who personify intellect and beauty of Georgia.
Several days ago we all have become witnesses of a horrible humanitarian catastrophe. In my previous statements I have expressed my most sincere condolences to families of the catastrophe's victims and FIDE's position on this issue. Unfortunately, we are unable to change the dates and venues of the Championship.
Fully realizing all complexity of the present situation for the Georgian chess players and understanding their dear wish to defend honour of their country at the chess board, I am appealing to you for your kind assistance in providing the sportsmen with conditions for smooth participation in the World Championship. This is especially valuable and urgent during the days of the Olympic Games.
Looking forward to your understanding.
Kirsan Ilyumzhinov
President
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It will be a disaster. Many woman will (wisely) withdraw and the tournament will lost of it’s prestige and the titles will be having a weird taste, since many strong players didn’t play.
War is a bad thing. Playing a tournament in a warfield (or very close to it) is a bad idea.
Who cares about organisers preparations?
Just cancel it, and play it in a few weeks or months, when the political issue calmed down. Which it will do.
The vagueness of this appeal is typical of Ilyumzhinov’s and indeed FIDE’s prose. “Conditions for smooth participation” – what is that supposed to mean? Bodyguards? Extra visas? More pocket money?
I think it’s safe to say that if Ilyumzhinov is unclear about something or uses vague words, he is intending to fix the problem with a bribe.
At least FIDE should reschedule this championship.
Referring to the very first letter of Georgian participants, published at Chessbase: I don’t understand, what they are afraid of in Nalchik, Russian Federation? Georgian paratroopers, another bombing by Saakashvili or what?
@Euwe
Isn’t it obvious? Georgia should invade and defeat Russia, and safeguard Nalchik
@Curious
Georgia is occupied by Russia, both sides accuse the other of war crimes, genocide, etc. Georgian players don’t have any reason to feel safe in Russia (and vice-versa), regardless of what side is right or wrong – Russia is right, though.
@nep
people (perhaps, not you) tends to express their opinion based exclusively on statements of irresponsible politicians and media, which is is paid by them. Some information for those who prefer to build there opinion on their own.
Short historical introduction:
1991 – First Georgian President Gamsahurdia started a war aimed to liquidate the South Ossetian autonomy. More than 40 South Ossetian villages were burned down and destroyed. Thousands innocent people have been killed and much more fled the area. However, the war didn’t reached the goal. It was ended up by an agreement in 1992. According to this agreement by the UN mandate Georgian and Russian peacekeepers and the UN observers were introduced to separate sides. However, a sporadic shelling from both South Ossetians and Georgian sides was reported many times, sides blamed each other for initiating that.
Approx. statistics for the beginning of 2008: total population 80000; ethnic balance: 65% Ossetins, 25% Georgians, 3% Russians, 7% other nationalities. Most of the population speak all three languages. Currency: Russian roubles. From 1992 to 2008 98% of Ossetian population of South Ossetia applied for Russian passport.
Brief (and incomplete) chronology of the beginning of recent events (2008):
August 7, early evening : Saakashvili addressed Georgian and Ossetians nations with the ceasefire declaration.
August 7, 23:30 : Georgian artillery and rocket systems have begun a massed bombardment of Tskhinvali and nearby villages. For some reason international observers and large part of ethnic Georgians leave the area shortly before.
August 8, night : Georgian troops invaded into South Ossetia toward Tskhinvali. On the way at least 12 Russian peacekeepers were killed, although peacekeepers didn’t answer the fire. NO Russian troops in the “breakaway republic” yet.
August 8, early morning: Saakashvili declared that he started “restoration of constitutional order” in South Ossetia. Russia called for the UN Security Council meeting and has proposed to condemn Aggression Georgia against South Ossetia. NO answer.
August 8, soon after noon : Tskhinvali is destroyed. About 1500 Ossetians, mostly civilians are killed. NO Russian troops in South Ossetia yet. Saakashvili started shouting about Russian aggression against Georgia.
August 8, around 2PM : Russian troops started movement through Roksky tunnel.
August 8, late afternoon and night: Georgian troops were mostly wiped out from Tskhinvali. Russians and Ossetins were chasing them till Gori. Russians also attacked military bases and separate military objects (such as radars) inside Georgia. Two (?) Russian bombs missed targets near Gori, and killed 5 (?) Georgian civilians.
August 9-10 : Georgian army got completely disorganized. Most of the Russian troops stopped near Gori, but several military units were observed 20km (?) near Tbilisi. Saakashvili is shouting about Russian aggression and occupation non-stop. Broadcasting of all Russian TV channels is blocked, most “news” are coming from Georgian leader.
Let me stop here. I like Georgians, but I don’t understand, how the nation with such a rich and ancient culture could have elected Saakashvili. I doubt about his mental health, at least. Is it contagious?
As always, the first victim in war is truth.
According to Human Rights Watch, there are no direct proofs of Georgian genocide on Ossetians in this war, but they did bomb Tskhinvali without taking any notice of civilians. Russians didn’t commit genocide on Georgians in Ossetia, but they didn’t do much to stop the Ossetians. There is a factor 10 difference in the number of casualties depending on the source. Saakashvili isn’t coming out smelling of roses, and neither are Putin, nor Bush. You can easily connect anything with it: Kosovo, missiles in Poland or Cuba, oil pipelines, the winter Olympics in Sochi and so on. The adversity between Georgians and Ossetians may go back to Kain and Abel.
Meanwhile, this is a chess site and we are discussing not just any kind of chess tournament, but a world championship where two groups of main contenders are from countries that have just been (? – is it over yet?) fighting a direct war.
It was difficult and probably a mistake to organise the 1939 Chess Olympiad in Buenos Aires, but would it have been played at all in Strassbourg, or Warshaw, or Berlin?
So, postpone this tournament. Going on with it won’t prove anything to anyone and it won’t make relations any better. So why go on with it? Because the food already has been ordered?