Anton Taylor, Kentucky, United States
FIDE president Kirsan Ilyumzhinov has brought in political issues by hosting an international tournament in an unstable region. How can any player honestly say they aren't going to be negatively effected by holding the tournament in Nalchik? Kirsan states that security measures have been taken. Wouldn't it just be cheaper to hold the tournament somewhere else (rather than spending a fortune on ineffective security). Unless Mr. Ilyumzhinov is claiming that FIDE has a standing army to combat invaders? I think we can all see that the security measures he mentions are just empty assurances.

Whether or not there is financial motivation in the actions of FIDE in supporting this 'go ahead' is unclear but from the point of view of the general public it certain seems that way. It is scandalous to support holding the tournament in Nalchik. It would make more business sense for FIDE to distance itself from the political issues and move the tournament elsewhere. It's not about expressing political views ... it's an issue of personal safety. After all, Russian Chessplayers aren't immune to Russian bombs. They too should be concerned.