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ARONIAN TO FIDE: I CANNOT PLAY IN AZERBAIJAN
ChessBase
http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=7889
Feb 2 2012
02.02.2012 - The first two bids to stage the next Candidates Tournament
for the World Championship received by FIDE are from Bulgaria and
Azerbaijan. But one of the two top candidates, Levon Aronian of
Armenia, warns that he will not be able to accept the latter, due to
the long-standing tension between the two countries. We received this
open letter from the Armenian Chess Federation.
Statement by Levon Aronian February 2, 2012
To: FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov FIDE Presidential Board Members
Dear Mr. President Dear Presidential Board Members
I learnt from the media, that the Chess Federations of Azerbaijan
and Bulgaria had submitted an application on holding the Candidates
Tournament of World Championship.
I'd like to inform you that general atmosphere in Azerbaijan and
continuous tensions between our countries make my participation in
such high ranked tournament in Azerbaijan impossible. A responsible
and important event, such as the Candidates Tournament, requires peace
of mind and special concentration. No circumstances, if they are not
chess-related, should prevent the grandmaster from demonstrating
all of his skills. Unfortunately, at this moment no Armenian can
find favorable or adequate psychological atmosphere in Azerbaijan,
whereas that is something absolutely necessary. In my opinion, all
the participants should be in equal conditions, which is impossible
in case of holding the tournament in Azerbaijan. Security guaranties
and any kind of additional support cannot be a remedy.
Taking into account the above-mentioned considerations, I inform you
that I would be delighted to take part in Candidates Tournament any
other country, but my participation in the candidates tournament in
Azerbaijan has to be excluded.
I hope you will take into account these considerations while discussing
the issue of the tournament venue at the Presidential Board Meeting.
Thank you in advance and best regards,
GM Levon Aronian
ChessBase
http://www.chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=7889
Feb 2 2012
02.02.2012 - The first two bids to stage the next Candidates Tournament
for the World Championship received by FIDE are from Bulgaria and
Azerbaijan. But one of the two top candidates, Levon Aronian of
Armenia, warns that he will not be able to accept the latter, due to
the long-standing tension between the two countries. We received this
open letter from the Armenian Chess Federation.
Statement by Levon Aronian February 2, 2012
To: FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov FIDE Presidential Board Members
Dear Mr. President Dear Presidential Board Members
I learnt from the media, that the Chess Federations of Azerbaijan
and Bulgaria had submitted an application on holding the Candidates
Tournament of World Championship.
I'd like to inform you that general atmosphere in Azerbaijan and
continuous tensions between our countries make my participation in
such high ranked tournament in Azerbaijan impossible. A responsible
and important event, such as the Candidates Tournament, requires peace
of mind and special concentration. No circumstances, if they are not
chess-related, should prevent the grandmaster from demonstrating
all of his skills. Unfortunately, at this moment no Armenian can
find favorable or adequate psychological atmosphere in Azerbaijan,
whereas that is something absolutely necessary. In my opinion, all
the participants should be in equal conditions, which is impossible
in case of holding the tournament in Azerbaijan. Security guaranties
and any kind of additional support cannot be a remedy.
Taking into account the above-mentioned considerations, I inform you
that I would be delighted to take part in Candidates Tournament any
other country, but my participation in the candidates tournament in
Azerbaijan has to be excluded.
I hope you will take into account these considerations while discussing
the issue of the tournament venue at the Presidential Board Meeting.
Thank you in advance and best regards,
GM Levon Aronian