Safety Concerns Plague Women’s World Championship

The Women’s World Chess Championship is set to begin on August 28, but concerns about the location of the event have caused some players to drop out.

The Championship is being held in Nalchik, a city in southern Russia near the Georgian border. The recent conflict between Russia and Georgia in South Ossetia has led some to question whether the venue is safe. Several players published an open letter, pleading for the event to be moved to a safer location. FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov issued a response, asking all involved not to mix politics and sport, while making assurances that proper security measures were in place.

The Georgian chess team has refused to play in Russia, while the European Chess Union has supported efforts to hold the Championship as planned.

FIDE and Ilyumzhinov have a history of scheduling major events in locations that are less than ideal for players. I find it understandable that some players are uncomfortable playing in a troubled area, and can’t blame anyone for refusing to travel there. What do you think: are these security concerns legitimate, or are the organizers correct to leave the tournament in Nalchik?