2017 King Salman World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, 26-30 December 2017

[John Moore]

Luke on 3.5 out of 4. David Howell on 2 and playing Nepo with Black. Nigel on 1.5 and has White against Grigoriants.

A seriously strong event.

[John Moore]

Well that was a disgusting game by David. He used all of his time playing bad moves in the opening and Nepomniachtchi finished the game with more than 15 minutes at the end.

[Jonathan Rogers]

Disappointment for Luke too. Backward captures again!

[Alan Walton]

Interesting post appearing on Emil Sutovsky’s facebook :

Israeli Chess Federation asked me to publish their open letter to FIDE

December 26, 2017
To : FIDE Attention - Mr. G. Makropoulos

FIDE'S Offensive and unacceptable behavior about the World Championship - Saudi Arabia December 25 - 30, 2017

We have read with astonishment the press release published on December 25th on FIDE website and which reads : "FIDE secured visas for Qatar and Iran ".

It is not surprising that this press release is not even signed, as it is not only an insult to simple logic but also a shame for FIDE.

There is not even a word in it about the issue of visas to Israeli players, and the "record" of the "logic" of this document comes towards its end : " As everybody clearly understands from the above , FIDE and Saudi organizer are always ready to welcome any participant " ... On such sentences we say : " To read and not to believe " !
This sentence means that in the eyes of FIDE Israeli players are not included in the list of "any participant " .

Let me state very clearly that the agreement signed with Sadia Arabia federation about the event is totally illegal , contradicting FIDE statutes - Article 1.2. a , not having an official form which every bidder for an event in FIDE should fill, and therefore should be immediately cancelled.
I am aware of the fact that it is impractical to cancel the event today , but before considering taking legal actions against FIDE and / or against those who signed this contract I am demanding , in the name of the Israeli Chess Federation the following :

1. As mentioned, to cancel immediately the contract with Sadia Arabia federation about organizing the same event in 2018 - 2019 .
2. To compensate the Israeli players who were denied visas and could not participate in the event .
3. To declare that such a case , which ignores the FIDE statutes , will not repeat itself .

I would appreciate an answer to this letter in the coming days .

Dr. Zvika Barkai

Chairman of The Israeli Chess Federation

[MJMcCready]

Point 3 seems rather naive. Given the amount of money involved and an increase in potential source of revenue, how could they not expect a repeat.

[Alan Walton]

Point 3 seems rather naive. Given the amount of money involved and an increase in potential source of revenue, how could they not expect a repeat.

So under this; if a very rich person in the UK wants to sponsor the British Championships with a vast amount of money for the next 10 years and want it to be based in Manchester, but his only condition is no Yorkshireman are allow to enter then this is totally acceptable to you (by the way the reverse is also applicable)

On a more serious note, if FIDE want to continue with this then they will either have to guarantee participation to all players of all member federations; or re-write their statutes

[David Robertson]

...and rewrite their motto. And withdraw from the IOC.

But I doubt any of that will prevent the bulk of chessplayers from shrugging their shoulders, looking the other way, "just enjoy the chess", and pretending nothing has happened. At some point in the next few months, I expect a few will try to dig their way out of the sh!t they've dumped themselves in by apologising for their misjudgement - apologising all the way to the bank, that is. Shameful. Where should we look for honour in the game?

[Roger de Coverly]

To : FIDE Attention - Mr. G. Makropoulos

According to the Washington Post, it was Makropoulos who showed up for the opening. Presumably Kirsan, if he is running again for President of FIDE, distances himself from the problems with the event.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/wor ... 8df74a8648

Apparently the Saudi's assurance that all players would be granted visas only applied to those countries where it had diplomatic relations of any sort.

the Kingdom has allowed the participation of all citizens.The exception is whereby KSA has historically not had diplomatic ties with a specific country-thus has maintained its policy.

[Alex Holowczak]

So under this; if a very rich person in the UK wants to sponsor the British Championships with a vast amount of money for the next 10 years and want it to be based in Manchester, but his only condition is no Yorkshireman are allow to enter then this is totally acceptable to you (by the way the reverse is also applicable)

Surely if you're looking for an appropriate parallel, not allowing any Lancastrians to enter is the right one.

[Roger de Coverly]

Surely if you're looking for an appropriate parallel, not allowing any Lancastrians to enter is the right one.

Given the dispute which seemed to start with a refusal to recognize Greater Manchester as a chess county, it would be the other way round. The event is held in Lancashire but no one with an affiliation to Greater Manchester is allowed to enter.

[Kevin Thurlow]

"You know how far things have fallen when Nakamura occupies the moral high ground"

In fairness to Nakamura, when Tony Ashby and I had a problem in the Pairs event in Gibraltar some years ago (opponents cheated), Nakamura came over and supported our complaint, which was very good of him. (I'm not saying he's right all the time!)

FIDE does have form with awards of tournaments, knowing that FIDE rules will be broken by the hosts.

[MJMcCready]

Point 3 seems rather naive. Given the amount of money involved and an increase in potential source of revenue, how could they not expect a repeat.

So under this; if a very rich person in the UK wants to sponsor the British Championships with a vast amount of money for the next 10 years and want it to be based in Manchester, but his only condition is no Yorkshireman are allow to enter then this is totally acceptable to you (by the way the reverse is also applicable)

On a more serious note, if FIDE want to continue with this then they will either have to guarantee participation to all players of all member federations; or re-write their statutes

I would allow them to play only if they promise to vandalise parts of Manchester after the tournament has finished and put chess graffiti everywhere. More seriously, you can play chess anywhere at anytime. All this is about is money, some players are unhappy that they can't get more money and are annoyed they have missed out on the opportunity. All the political rhetoric is a facade, its just about a loss of potential earnings and nothing more. If this were about chess itself, they would go and play somewhere else rather than sit at home moaning like a bunch of old women.

[Roger de Coverly]

The ECF President has intervened.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/12 ... pionships/

That's fair comment, however the ECF's International Director supported the award of the tournaments to Saudi Arabia as did one of the more influential English players in being the first to sign up to participate.

[MJMcCready]

Would he have done that if the financial incentives were negligible? This is all very naive and only confirms how desperate and dim the majority of professional players are. Beyond money, there is no desire for them to go to Saudi, and the politicised visa issues mentioned at the bottom of the article have been in place for decades, as anyone based in Riyadh [such as myself] can tell you. There are no women here for them to fool about or flirt with [as many do behind the scenes] and there is no money to be had for some for obvious reasons. In thinking that some bit-part tournament belonging to a board game that a bunch of so-called professionals with little or no charisma, some of which have been repeatedly critical of blitz chess per se throughout their career, can sway public opinion when very few of the general public is interested in chess is naive. This is all so very predictable.

[MJMcCready]

How many of all those the voiced the complaints over chess being banned in Saudi not so long ago are now there? Why are they there I wonder?