New Delhi: Chess fans and players are worried about the upcoming Candidates Tournament in Cyprus, mainly due to security concerns and basic amenities like electricity. The island’s proximity to tensions in West Asia and recent attacks on nearby military bases have raised concerns about whether it is the right place to host such a large event. Some players have already reacted strongly. Indian star Konero Hampi has withdrawn from the women’s candidaturewhile Hikaru Nakamura questioned the reliability of the power supply.
Dutch No. 1 Anish Giri also sneered at the governing body. After FIDE released a detailed FAQ to address concerns, he wrote, “FIDE is finally giving out a FAQ!” Earlier, he had joked, “If they move the candidates, will I at least get an SMS or something?”The post definitely highlights the frustration over communication.
FIDE responds to security concerns.
With criticism mounting, FIDE published a “Cyprus. Safety & Logistics FAQ” on Tuesday to reassure everyone. On the key question of safety, he said, “Yes, Cyprus is a safe country to travel to,” adding, “There is no emergency, and the country is operating as normal.” The body also said it is working closely with the authorities and has taken all necessary steps to ensure a safe environment for players, media and visitors.
Concerns over power and backup plans
Another major issue raised by American Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura was the possibility of power cuts during the Games. FIDE dismissed these concerns, saying, “No. The risk is extremely low and overstated.” He explained that outages are rare and brief and the venue has backup generators to prevent any disruption.To deal with worst-case scenarios, FIDE added, “FIDE has contingency plans in place,” assuring that safety and comfort will remain a top priority if the situation changes.
