Georgian Chess Federation Backs Championship in Batumi

Georgian Chess Federation at the session on April 19 decided that the Women’s World Chess Championship, scheduled in Adjarian Autonomy’s capital Batumi, should be held despite opposition from the Georgia’s central authorities.

“Georgia will face financial sanctions in case of refusal to hold the tournament. At the same time refusal would be a great blow for country’s international image,” Zurab Azmaiparashvili, Vice-President of the World Chess Federation (FIDE) told a press conference on April 19 in Tbilisi.

Kakha Chigogidze, President of the Georgian Chess Federation told a press conference that representatives of the Georgian Chess Federation will meet on April 19 Prime Minister Zurab Zhvania to discuss the issue.

Georgian Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a statement and appealed the FIDE that Georgia can not ensure security of participants of the tournament and would not consider admissible holding of the Women’s World Chess Championship in the Adjara Autonomous Republic.

Georgian central authorities claim that presence of illegal armed groups in defiant Autonomy poses threat to the participants of the championship.