Discussion Over Women's World Championship

Six Georgian players, qualified to participate in the upcoming WWCC in Nalchik, have sent a letter to ChessBase, expressing concerns "about the current dangerous situation near Cabardino-Balkaria". They are calling for tournament to be moved "to the safer place, which would be convenient for all the participants".

The hosting city of Nalchik, capitol of Kabardino-Balkaria, did survive a terrible tragedy on October 2005, but ever since then this popular resort has been perfectly safe. It is still unclear whether the Georgian request is to move the event deeper into Russian soil or take it completely to another country.

Meanwhile, the FIDE Grand Prix, that was taking place in Sochi, only 10 miles away from Abkhasia, finished today with no interruption. What probably is true, is that Georgians might be feeling uncomfortable to play in Russia within weeks of declaring ceasefire.

FIDE President Kirsan Ilymzhinov realised that certain interest groups will try to get politics involved and quickly issued a public statement. He was soon followed by ECU President Boris Kutin.

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