Dark clouds are gathering over the horizon of Canada, where both the Open and Women’s Candidates Tournaments are scheduled to be held next month. Speaking to Russian News Agency TASS, a FIDE source warned that Toronto may lose its hosting rights if it fails to adjust the pending visa applications of most of the Russian chess delegation. “There was no problem for Ian Alexandrovich Nepomniachtchi, but the two women [Aleksandra Yuryevna Goryachkina and Ekaterina Aleksandrovna Lagno], as well as other members of the mission, have not yet received visas”, said the confidant.
Why do you think that's the case?
ReplyDeleteIt's pretty funny seeing young people complain about politics in chess (for example, with Karjakin et al.) when at one point it was the most politically relevant sport.
After all, chess is a 'stargate' to the whole world as its Federation includes even more affiliate members (countries) than UN. I think I read that once Spassky said that every player has to also be a diplomat. It seems to me that the older generations were better prepared in international relations than the younger ones, which often see the world though overly simplistic points of view. Chess has the power to unite people regardless of their race, colour, and creed, and it is a shame to give up such a power to drawn up proscription lists based on ethnic (gepolitical) background. Too much warmongering lately. The chess community is not a military corp, and no one should put on a helmet dreaming of driving a tank and shooting enemies (opponents). Chess is not war by other means. For this and many other reasons, I hope that all Candidates' visas be issued from Canada.
ReplyDeleteSuch an amazing way to put it.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this comment.