8/7/2024 – This is really taking thing too far. At the Dagestan Chess Championship one participant tried to poison a specific opponent by smearing mercury on her board. The substance was noticed and the arbiter called the police. The placing of the poison was caught on surveillance video, and the perpetrator has admitted to the deed. She said she had acted to get revenge on the player, whom she has known since childhood, bur who had "seriously offended her."
new: Fritz 20
Your personal chess trainer. Your toughest opponent. Your strongest ally. FRITZ 20 is more than just a chess engine – it is a training revolution for ambitious players and professionals. Whether you are taking your first steps into the world of serious chess training, or already playing at tournament level, FRITZ 20 will help you train more efficiently, intelligently and individually than ever before.
Your personal chess trainer. Your toughest opponent. Your strongest ally. FRITZ 20 is more than just a chess engine – it is a training revolution for ambitious players and professionals. Whether you are taking your first steps into the world of serious chess training, or already playing at tournament level, FRITZ 20 will help you train more efficiently, intelligently and individually than ever before.
Learn from legends! Get the full Master Class series on the World Champions at a discounted bundle price – only for a limited time.
€399.90
14:05, 7 August 2024 Source: Baza Telegram site. Original report in Russian at the bottom of the page.
The Russian Chess Federation (RCF) announced that it had temporarily suspended Dagestani chess player Amina Abakarova from participating in all competitions, according to media reports, after she spilled mercury near her opponent's board at a tournament in Makhachkala. The corresponding statement appeared on the federation's Telegram channel on the afternoon of August 7.
The first to report the incident that occurred at the Dagestan Chess Championship on August 2 was the Baza Telegram channel (report in Russian at the bottom of the page). According to the video from a surveillance camera published by the publication, 40-year-old Amina Abakarova studied the list of participants and then poured mercury next to the chessboard of one of her opponents. Another participant, European champion Umayganat Osmanova, was supposed to sit at this table.
YouTube video by GMC. It was recorded before the start of the round and showed Abakarova studying the list of participants, then going to a specific table and pouring out something next to the board. After that, she spread the liquid on the table with a chess piece.
The mercury was noticed almost immediately. Osmanova and other chess players started running and shouting about the poisonous substance. The referee took control of the situation: he collected the mercury in a bag and called the police. At the same time, the organizers of the competition checked the surveillance cameras and saw Amina Abakarova pouring the mercury. Abakarova told the other players that she had wanted to get revenge –allegedly Umayganat Osmanova had somehow seriously offended her.
At the end of July, Abakarova and Osmanova met in the final of the tournament in Makhachkala. Both chess players scored the same number of points, but the victory was awarded to Osmanova, based on additional factors. This defeat was probably one of the reasons why Amina decided to poison her opponent.
According to Baza's sources, Abakarova and Osmanova have known each other since childhood and have always been competitors at the regional level. Amina's friends were very surprised by her actions. The girl is described, among other things, as a good, kind children's coach.
After the poisoning, Osmanova continued to participate in the tournament and won a prize. The girl's relatives do not intend to forgive Abakarova and want her to receive the maximum punishment.
GM Blohberger presents a complete two-part repertoire for Black: practical, clear, and flexible – instead of endless theory, you’ll get straightforward concepts and strategies that are easy to learn and apply.
GM Blohberger presents a complete two-part repertoire for Black: practical, clear, and flexible – instead of endless theory, you’ll get straightforward concepts and strategies that are easy to learn and apply.
GM Blohberger presents a complete two-part repertoire for Black: practical, clear, and flexible – instead of endless theory, you’ll get straightforward concepts and strategies that are easy to learn and apply.
Opening videos: Sipke Ernst brings the Ulvestad Variation up to date + Part II of ‘Mikhalchishin's Miniatures’. Special: Jan Werle shows highlights from the FIDE Grand Swiss 2025 in the video. ‘Lucky bag’ with 40 analyses by Ganguly, Illingworth et al.
In this video course, Grandmaster Ivan Sokolov explores the fascinating world of King’s Indian and Pirc structures with colours reversed, often arising from the French or Sicilian.
EXPAND YOUR CHESS HORIZONS
It doesn't get any better than this: the premium equipment perfect for tournament players and professionals: with ChessBase program '26, Mega Database, CORR-Database and much more.
€499.90
We use cookies and comparable technologies to provide certain functions, to improve the user experience and to offer interest-oriented content. Depending on their intended use, analysis cookies and marketing cookies may be used in addition to technically required cookies. Here you can make detailed settings or revoke your consent (if necessary partially) with effect for the future. Further information can be found in our data protection declaration.
Pop-up for detailed settings
We use cookies and comparable technologies to provide certain functions, to improve the user experience and to offer interest-oriented content. Depending on their intended use, cookies may be used in addition to technically required cookies, analysis cookies and marketing cookies. You can decide which cookies to use by selecting the appropriate options below. Please note that your selection may affect the functionality of the service. Further information can be found in our privacy policy.
Technically required cookies
Technically required cookies: so that you can navigate and use the basic functions and store preferences.
Analysis Cookies
To help us determine how visitors interact with our website to improve the user experience.
Marketing-Cookies
To help us offer and evaluate relevant content and interesting and appropriate advertisement.
