– It is disappointing and very, very unacceptable. That’s what Hikaru Nakamura said on his own YouTube channel about the choice of Uzbekistan as organizer of the Blitz and Rapid Chess World Cup in Space Christmas. The 36-year-old American is known to be among the very best players with a short thinking time, but this year has chosen to drop out of the World Cup due to the choice of Uzbekistan. STAR: Hikaru Nakamura is a star on the chessboard and on YouTube. Photo: PAVEL MIKHEYEV / Reuters He does not base the criticism with allegations of human rights violations like some other chess players, but because of the journey from the USA to Uzbekistan. During Christmas, you can watch and follow the WC in rapid and blitz chess on news. The championship will be held from 26 to 30 December. – Flights of more than 40 hours On the YouTube broadcast, Nakamura looks for various journeys from North America to Samarkand in Uzbekistan. Most travel options cost several thousand dollars. – All these flights last more than 40 hours. OMG. Good job, Fide. Good job, he said ironically and continued: – In addition, it is a very short event, so you have jet lag from another world. It’s a huge problem. If you have jet lag, you’re done. See the answer to Fide further down in the case PODKAST DUO: Cristian Chirila and Fabiano Caruana have the podcast The C-Squared Podcast together. This is where Caruana has shared his irritation with Fide. Photo: Carina Johansen / NTB Bae: – Sutrete He is supported by Fabiano Caruana who talks about the same challenge on his own chess podcast The C-Squared Podcast. – It is absolutely terrible. There is not much positive you can say about it. The biggest problem is the location, and I have nothing against Samarkand and Uzbekistan, says Caruana, who claims he has to fork out 4,000 dollars, or closer to 41,000 kroner at today’s rate, in travel expenses. The two Americans claim that it would have been easier for the vast majority of people if the WC had been moved to Europe. They also highlight Dubai, Abu Dhabi and the USA as good alternatives. Caruana has nevertheless found his way to Uzbekistan and the participant lists in space Christmas. Torstein Bae is anything but impressed when he hears the reason why Nakamura is above the WC. – I think Nakamura is a bit whiny. It seems that he lives a bit in his own bubble. It is true that Uzbekistan is a long way from where he belongs, but for people in other parts of the world it is shorter to Uzbekistan than it is to go to the United States, which, for example, is highlighted as a great city by Caruana in this podcast, says Bae. EXPERT: Torstein Bae. Photo: Lars Bryne / Lars Bryne The news expert adds that he understands that the time of Christmas can be demanding for many and that the financial calculation can be challenging. – But the fact that it is added to Uzbekistan, which is one of the leading chess countries in the world, seems to me to be completely unproblematic – at least when we are talking about geographical location. It is not that this is extremely inaccessible. This is where these Americans fool themselves, says Bae. This is how Fide responds Anna Volkova, head of the PR department in Fide, writes in a statement to news that she has heard that several players have complained about the journey and that she understands the logistical challenges. At the same time, she points out like Torstein Bae: – It should be noted that players from other parts of the world also experience challenges when they travel to events that are organized in Europe, and in addition are often exposed to complicated and uncertain visa procedures, which is rarely the case for players from Europe or North America who travel elsewhere, writes Volkova. Read the full response to Fide The decision to hold the Blitz and Rapid Chess World Cup in Uzbekistan was made after careful consideration and evaluation of the host country’s abilities and willingness to fulfill the strict criteria set by Fide. It should also be said that Uzbekistan will host the 46th Chess Olympiad (in Tashkent), and organizing the Blitz and Rapid Chess World Cup is therefore a good springboard before the 2026 event. We recognize the logistical challenges posed by geographical distances, as some players have stated, and see their concerns. It must nevertheless be said that players from other parts of the world also experience challenges when they travel to events organized in Europe, and in addition are often exposed to complicated and uncertain visa procedures, which is rarely the case for players from Europe or North America who travel elsewhere. Fide valued input and feedback from the chess community, including suggestions for potential future hosts or sponsors. The organization is still open to bids from various regions, including the United States or other interested parties, to host or financially support chess events on a global scale. Fide strongly believes that watching top players play should be available to the public in all parts of the world, and that top chess events should be held in different places to make the game more accessible to the public. She underlines that it is important for Fide that chess shows off the sport all over the world. – The decision to hold the Blitz and Rapid Chess World Cup in Uzbekistan was made after careful assessment and evaluation of the abilities and willingness of the host country to meet the strict criteria set by FIDE, she writes.
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Hikaru Nakamura drops the WC – expert snorts the reason – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
