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The third leg of the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix commenced today in the Indian capital New Delhi after the serious organizational issues which led to withdrawal of two players: GM Zhansaya Abdumalik and GM Elisabeth Paehtz. Abdumalik left the tournament after the organizers forgot to pick her up from the airport as she arrived at 1.30am (local time), unsatisfied with the hotel location and air pollution in the area as well. The German grandmaster Elisabeth Paehtz decided to withdraw from the event because the organizers and FIDE didn’t find a solution to make the tournament fair and equal for everyone, adding that the players went over the emotional rollercoaster before the start of the competition.
The tournament director Bharat Singh Chauhan opened the first round which was postponed for 24h and approached all players to shake hands before the start of the round. GM Aleksandra Goryachkina did not reciprocate and refused to shake hands.
