Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Chess fans and players have been worried about the upcoming Candidates tournament in Cyprus, mainly due to safety concerns and basic facilities like electricity. The island’s closeness to tensions in West Asia and recent attacks on nearby military bases have raised fears about whether it’s the right place to host such a major event. Some players have already reacted strongly. Indian star Koneru Humpy pulled out of the Women’s Candidates, while Hikaru Nakamura questioned the reliability of the power supply.
Dutch No. 1 Anish Giri also took a sarcastic dig at the governing body. After FIDE released a detailed FAQ addressing concerns, he wrote, “FIDE finally giving a FAQ!” Earlier, he had joked, “If they will move the Candidates, will I at least get an sms or something?”The post certainly highlights the frustration over communication.
FIDE responds to safety fears
With criticism growing, FIDE on Tuesday published a “Cyprus. Safety & Logistics FAQ” to reassure everyone. On the key question of safety, it stated, “Yes. Cyprus is a safe country to travel,” adding, “There is no emergency situation, and the country continues to operate normally.” The body also said it is working closely with authorities and has taken all necessary steps to ensure a secure environment for players, media, and guests.
Concerns over power and backup plans
Another major issue raised by American Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura was the possibility of power cuts during games. FIDE dismissed these worries, saying, “No. The risk is extremely low and overstated.” It explained that outages are rare and short and that the venue has backup generators to prevent any disruption.To address worst-case scenarios, FIDE added, “FIDE has contingency plans in place,” assuring that safety and comfort will remain the top priority if the situation changes.
