After GM Zhansaya Abdumalik withdrew from the New Delhi FIDE Women’s Grand Prix, and an apology letter by FIDE President, the dust has not settled as the outraged chess fans are strongly protesting on Twitter.
And that’s still not the end, as fellow participant and compatriot from Kazakhstan, Bibisara Assaubayeva, attacked Zhansaya Abdumalik for “hysteria, lies, disruption of tournament, lack of sportsmanship, inappropriate emotions, attitude towards colleagues, to life in general”. Her final advice to Zhansaya was to “get married and cook borscht”. Full facebook post below.
Abdumalik responded that the protest letter to FIDE was signed by “almost all participants, including Assaubayeva”. She added “I do not regret the decision and am convinced that chess players deserve to play in safe and decent conditions.” Full facebook post below.
Elisabeth Paehtz, also participant in the Women’s Grand Prix, supported Abdumalik stating that “the biggest core of these problems was an insufficient organisation by FIDE officials.” Paehtz confirms that five players, including Bibisara Asaubayeva signed a letter, convincing FIDE to postpone the event as a lot of players faced serious emotional outbreaks.
Paehtz states that “over night Bibisara changed her mind and informed FIDE. Furthermore she downbashed Zhansaya during the official zoom call with FIDE Officials. So to claim, she never signed the letter and she never wanted to quit the tournament is a lie from Bibisara Assaubayeva and I suppose, done to damage the reputation of her compatriot.” Full facebook post below.
GM Nino Batsiashvili confirmed the statement of Elisabeth Paehtz.
Facebook posts in order: 1. Bibisara Assaubayeva, 2. Zhansaya Abdumalik and 3. Elisabeth Paehtz
Photos by ChessBase India and The Astana Times
