Zhang Zhong answers: It was indeed a ban

3/12/2017 – We recently reported that the "golden couple" GM Zhang Zhong and WGM Li Ruofan had been excluded from the Asian Zonals. The Singapore Chess Federation explained that it was not a “ban”, the players were "simply not selected and endorsed by the Federation to take part." In a detailed response to their federation the two players describe what it means when you are barred from practicing the profession you love.