Tbilisi Opposes World Chess Championship in Batumi

Georgian Minister for Sport and Culture Goka Gabashvili said that the Georgian central government opposes holding of the Women’s World Chess Championship in Adjarian Autonomy’s capital Batumi, scheduled for May 21-June 7.

Tbilisi explained that the country’s central authorities can not guarantee security in defiant Adjarian Autonomy.

Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze met with the President of World Chess Federation Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, who is also the President of Russia’s Republic of Kalmykia, in Batumi to discuss planned tournament in the Adjarian capital.

Georgia’s central authorities claim that illegal armed groups in Adjara threaten security of not only Georgia, but also of entire region.