Georgian Chess Femmes Refuse to Play In Russia

For their own safety, the Georgian women's chess team has withdrawn from the Women's World Chess Championship which begins on August 28, 2008 in Nalchik, in a Russian Republic not far from the war zone of South Ossetia, Georgia. I just cannot fathom how some people refuse to understand why the Georgian women do not want to play in a Russian republic close to the war zone! For goddess' sake, take your heads out of your doofusses! I saw the announcement at Susan Polgar's blog (as always, her blog is on top of the news) and tracked down the link. Here is the article: From Signonsandiego.com Report: Georgian chess team won't play in Russia ASSOCIATED PRESS 11:23 a.m. August 15, 2008 MOSCOW – The Interfax news agency says the women's national chess team in Georgia is refusing to play in the World Women's Chess Championship because it will be held in Russia. The team's refusal stems from the conflict between Georgia and Russia over the breakaway region of South Ossetia. Interfax quoted Maya Lomineishvili, a member of the team, as saying it is not boycotting the championship, but rather refusing to play in Russia. The tournament is scheduled to begin in two weeks in Nalchik, Russia, about 100 kilometers (60 miles) from the South Ossetian border. Boris Kutin [note the name - a Russian], president of the European Chess Federation, says on the event's Web site that he cannot see an alternative to holding the event as planned.