Source: Chessbase

We informed our readers in a July report that this could happen. Now Kirsan Ilyumzhinov has, in his own words, "requested not to be considered for another term as head of the Republic of Kalmykia" – where he has served as President since 1993. From now on he wants to devote his attention fully to FIDE, which he has served since 1995. Statements and press reports.

Take a good look at the article published by Karpov against Kirsan (from the election site). This is the first I've heard of Larissa Yudina and it is hopefully not the last time. This is tragic whether it is true that Kirsan was involved in her death or not. No voice deserves to be silenced forever.

http://www.karpov2010.org/2010/08/the-truth-about-kirsan/

The final agreement between FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov and the President of the Bulgarian Chess Federation Stefan Sergiev was signed in Sofia, Bulgaria. The prize fund is two million Euros (we are told that it is to be transferred to FIDE on January 10th). Ilyumzhinov met with the President Georgi Parvanov of Bulgaria, who is guaranteeing the conditions of the match. See Chessbase FIDE press release.

As a chessplayer I find it hard to see a more important event than the Chess World Championship. Today I was cruising chessblogland and I found on Susan's Blog a letter from FIDE president Kirsan Ilyumzhinov.

The letter issued by his office and translated very poorly is in essence one big excuse for his not showing up to the Championship. He managed financially to make it to the Women's World Championship but now when the best in the World is being decided he's nowhere to be seen. GENS UNA SUMUS indeed.

No doubt he's skipping on the Championship for other reasons. Why couldn't he just state those? Why does he have to lie and say 'FIDE can't afford a coach plane ticket'. It's a pointless lie that's a symptom of a bigger disease that plagues FIDE. I'm disappointed but I'll go play some chess and get over it.

Let me just try to give you the skinny on the current developments ...

we see this letter from the Georgian players (and a number of other women players who are concerned).

Dear ChessBase,

I would like to remark that when FIDE and the Organizing Comitee write that the open letter was written by Georgian chess players they never say that it was later signed by eight more players from different countrys. They all agree with us 100%, that this champioship should be moved to another place. Here are their names:

Irina Krush, USA
Claudia Amura, Argentina
Monica Socko, Poland
Iweta Rajlich, Poland
Anna Gasik, Poland
Ketino Kachiani-Gersinska
Tea Lanchava-Bosboom, The Netherlands
Marie Sebag, France

These are playes whom we were able to contact. I'm sure that if we had the emails of others they would suport us as well. So, please, if you have a chance, ask them to contact us at one of the following addresses:

info@gcf.org.ge
wchampionship@yahoo.com

Many thanks and best regards
IM Maia Lomineishvili, Georgia

and we also see an outpouring of public opinion on Chessbase ... such as the two bellow ...

Nick Schober, Twin Lakes, USA
It is exactly this kind of utopian attitude that causes athletes to loose their lives. The attitude that sport will always overcome political, religious, and other prejudices is a lofty ideal but it has proven fatal in the past. I remember full well watching the Munich Olympics. Deliberately putting people's lives in jeopardy is absolutely stupid. I think all the players should boycott until the FIDE comes to their senses. If anything truly "interesting" does happen, FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov should be held personally responsible for his turning a blind eye to the situation at hand. I realize there will be responses from the FIDE and others about how they have assessed the situation and are confident that the event will be fine. And it may truly be uneventful. But I feel it is ridiculous to put people in any environment or situation that is as volatile as this.

James Satrapa, Canberra
Kabardino-Balkaria is inside Russia and is not a trouble spot, and hence very unlikely to be a source of danger for chess players. The pressure to move the tournament seems to be more about punishing Russia than about ensuring the safety of the players.

overwhelmingly, the public opinion seems to be indicating a move for the tournament. Kirsan turns a blind eye.