Our foreign office insults 45th best player in the world

[PeterTurland]

I've just read on Susan Polgar's blog that Carlsen's second, GM Nepomniachtchi has been refused a visa, I find this rather hard to believe, seeing as the London Classic has become one of the premier chess events in the world.

I think someone should have a word in someone's ear sharpish.

[Jonathan Rogers]

Perhaps they confused him with someone else of the same name?

In the 1990s, this is where Jeremy Hanley would make himself useful. But surely Malcolm too has various people he can call upon for help (I mean, he invited inter alia the Chancellor to the closing dinner of the LCC last year). It is always possible that the Home Office do these things by the book now* but, er, it's surely worth a try...


* as in everyone now must wait for several weeks for a decision which may take just a few minutes

[JustinHorton]

Not really the main issue here but as ever the Polgar blog gives an inadequate link to the story and can't be bothered with a proper translation.

As far as the main issue is concerned - what's the explanation? Is there one? Do you usually get one when a visa is refused?

[Jonathan Bryant]

... surely Malcolm too has various people he can call upon for help ....

Indeed he does. As I recall it was RDK who oiled some wheels to get Kramnik sorted for an earlier LCC (the first?).

If Vlad can have a visit request turned down then anybody can.

[Paolo Casaschi]

I've just read on Susan Polgar's blog that Carlsen's second, GM Nepomniachtchi has been refused a visa, I find this rather hard to believe, seeing as the London Classic has become one of the premier chess events in the world.

I think someone should have a word in someone's ear sharpish.

How can you be so upset and point the finger assuming wrongdoing when nowhere is mentioned why the visa was denied?

[Paolo Casaschi]

I've just read on Susan Polgar's blog that Carlsen's second, GM Nepomniachtchi has been refused a visa, I find this rather hard to believe, seeing as the London Classic has become one of the premier chess events in the world.

I think someone should have a word in someone's ear sharpish.

How can you be so upset and point the finger assuming wrongdoing when nowhere is mentioned why the visa was denied?

On twitter Malcom Pain even comments: "... would have helped if he filled in the form correctly"

[Christopher Kreuzer]

The (rough) translation says that it could impact Carlsen's performance in the tournament, and that he (Carlsen) is upset at this, it is mentioned that communication can still happen by Skype. It is not ideal, but how much do people here think this could really impact Carlsen's performance?

Oh, and this link is more useful:

http://susanpolgar.blogspot.co.uk/2012/ ... ondon.html

[Ray Sayers]

Many people want it made more difficult for overseas people to work in this country, so this sort of thing is going to happen. No one has said exactly why his visa was rejected on this forum, so speculation is pointless.

Interesting, Agdestein in the above link said it IS possible to do this job of a second via Skype, so I guess it's not the end of the world. Let's hope he gets his visa fixed though; kind of silly to stop people involved in sports for maybe some badly filled in paperwork.

[Jonathan Rogers]

There was some kind of visa difficulty for Aronian getting to London a few years ago, as I recall.

I don't believe that one gets reasons for being turned down - though in this case, judging by Malcolm's tweet, maybe there were relatively good reasons. People who are turned down often have to seek a judicial review, because it is so difficult/impossible to get reasons or any kind of review of the case from the Home Office itself.

(And now, a probably less than coincidental link to the government's desire to reduce the availability of judicial review ...!)

I seem to recall that kasparov coached Carlsen by skype, in the days of yore. Having the second there in person may be more important if the player is expected to lose the odd game or more, and wants someone close at hand for moral support. (I guess. I don't know, anyone here ever had a second?!)

[Ian Kingston]

ChessBase says that Nepomniachtchi didn't fill in the visa application correctly. I'd imagine that's a pretty good way to get a visa to almost any country refused.

[Paolo Casaschi]

I don't believe that one gets reasons for being turned down

I hope (and believe) you are wrong here.

I seem to recall that kasparov coached Carlsen by skype, in the days of yore. Having the second there in person may be more important if the player is expected to lose the odd game or more, and wants someone close at hand for moral support. (I guess. I don't know, anyone here ever had a second?!)

Considering how expensive travel is these days, if a skype call was enough, dont you think they would go for it in the first place?

[Jonathan Rogers]

I don't believe that one gets reasons for being turned down

I hope (and believe) you are wrong here.

On reflection, probably so. I think the problem is rather supposed to be that one often does not get very good reasons - reasons which often show that the application has been misread - and this after a very long wait. Not in this case, of course.

I seem to recall that kasparov coached Carlsen by skype, in the days of yore. Having the second there in person may be more important if the player is expected to lose the odd game or more, and wants someone close at hand for moral support. (I guess. I don't know, anyone here ever had a second?!)

Considering how expensive travel is these days, if a skype call was enough, dont you think they would go for it in the first place?[/quote]

Sure, it must be better to have the second with you - and money would be no object for the LCC - the question is rather "still, can one achieve quite a lot with Skype, if one has to use it?"

Incidentally, do we know who the seconds for the other players are? Perhaps Luke has hired Peter Wells again? What about Adams and Gawain? Does Kramnik have one these days?

[LawrenceCooper]

There was some kind of visa difficulty for Aronian getting to London a few years ago, as I recall.

Incidentally, do we know who the seconds for the other players are? Perhaps Luke has hired Peter Wells again? What about Adams and Gawain? Does Kramnik have one these days?

The problem with the Aronian visa was complicated by him putting in the request very late and he was accompanying his girlfriend who was playing in the women's event. Had he been playing in the main event and had the application been made well in advance then I imagine it wouldn't have been a problem.

Luke is being seconded by Peter Wells, Adams rarely has a second and not sure about Gawain

[PeterTurland]

It shames us as chess players, that the law of the land, does not give us recognition for our INTERNATIONAL sport!

[Alan Walton]

If he filled the form correctly he would have got a visa, then it is his own fault for not getting one for not filling in the application correctly

I would expect any country to decline his request