Russia to Host World Chess Championship instead of Georgia

President of the World Chess Federation (FIDE) Kirsan Ilyumzhinov said on May 1, after separate talks with Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili and Adjarian Autonomy’s leader Aslan Abashidze that the Women’s World Chess Championship will be held in the Russia’s Republic of Kalmykia’s capital Elista. 

Initially Adjarian capital Batumi should have hosted the tournament scheduled for May 21-June 8; whoever Georgia’s central authorities went against, since the Georgia’s government could not ensure security of the participants due to presence of illegal armed groups in the region.

FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, who is also the President of Russia’s Autonomous Republic of Kalmykia arrived in Tbilisi on April 30 and held talks with President Mikheil Saakashvili to discuss the issue. Then he visited Batumi and met with Adjarian leader Aslan Abashidze.
 
Vice-President of the FIDE Zurab Azmaiparashvili said on May 1, Aslan Abashidze will defray the expenses on preparation of the tournament in Elista. “This is Aslan Abashidze’s good will and he will pay over USD 700 thousand. He agreed to pay this sum instead of the Chess Federation,” Zurab Azmaiparashvili said.