Unfair, maybe. But which rule are you talking about?

I guess it depends on the relevant skills for which one is looking...

Since the tournament was trying to produce a women's champion (not necessarily the best player), and a round or two of armageddon chess produces a winner, then the organizers met their goal. *shrug*

In the United States, there are laws that prevent discriminatory practices. In the event someone who was obviously, by reason of disability, unable to compete based on rapid motor skills, the organizers would have needed to use a different tiebreak method. I could have also used the hypothetical (although highly unlikely) case of a blind player who uses a special board/set during the regular games would not be able to play a blitz tiebreak.

It was very controversial, and I think (not sure) he was eventually allowed to use the cart. But his game wasn't good enough to succeed on tour.

You are right; they mostly apply to employment, and actually don't affect private organizations (a church can deny membership to anyone for any reason, for instance).

Nevertheless, <centercounter> I think in the hypothetical situation, an accommodation would be made for the disabled player. In any case, I find it hard to believe that any chess player would have so little honor as to agree to play in a situation in which his/her opponent could not physically make the moves.

<In chess, I'm not sure. What if Stephen Hawkings were a GM--would he be allowed to make his moves by using his keyboard or speaking?>

Well, if he was a GM, something must have already have been figured out to deal with the situation :)

Oh, okay. I thought you were talking about the rules of chess, not the law of the land. I don't think the law of the land would apply here, they usually apply to hiring practices.

Still, illegal or not, they'd never dare make Aigner play a Blitz playoff. Even if they could legally do it, they'd look ridiculous. In this case, however, it's key that nobody objected to the Blitz game before it was played. If they had, who knows what would have happened?

pairings

The pairings for round 1 of the World Women Chess Championship (Nalchik, Kabardino-Balkaria) are already known.

From this list it becomes clear that some of the invited players have decided not to participate. Judith Polgar, Elena Galiabova, Yelena Dembo, Ekaterina Atalik, Irina Berezina, and Natalia Hudgarian will be replace by the newest GM Marie Sebag, Elizabeth Paethz, Nisha Mohota, Maria Velcheva, Xue Zhao, and Sarai Sanches Castillo.

3. 8. 2. Round 6 (Final Match)

3. 8. 2. 1 If the scores are level after the regular games, after a new drawing of colours, four (4) tie break games shall be played. The games shall be played using the electronic clock starting with 25 minutes on the clock for each player with an addition of 10 seconds after each move.

3. 8. 2. 2 If the scores are level after the games in paragraph 3. 8. 2. 1, then, after a new drawing of colours, 2 five-minute games shall be played with the addition of 10 seconds after each move.

<3. 8. 2. 3. If the score is still level, the players shall play one decisive sudden death game. The player, who wins the drawing of lots, may choose the colour. White shall receive 6 minutes, Black shall receive 5 minutes, without any addition. The winner shall be declared Women's World Champion. In case of a draw the player with the black pieces shall be declared Women's World Champion.>

Source: http://rules.chessdom.com/world-wom...

In chess, I'm not sure. What if Stephen Hawkings were a GM--would he be allowed to make his moves by using his keyboard or speaking?>

Something similar happened in an elite chess tournament back in the 80s, I think...I vaguely remember Anthony Miles playing in Tilburg, or something, face down on an elevated cot...He had a bad back and sitting at a chair put too much pressure on it.

Correctimundo. From Wikipedia:

As for the case with Stephen Hawking (or any other obviously disabled person)...there would probably be some sort of compromise; personally I would probably refuse to play a tiebreak under conditions that were so clearly unfair for my opponent.

FIDE's and other chess officials' reactions have been arrogant and incomprehensible. I can't even believe that Kirsan's response <do not mix politics and sport> is serious>. Did he read the letters? The place is not safe.

It is interesting how chessbase presents all of this without comment, the model objective news source. Sure, they decide to ridicule the genius Rowson over his views on British hegemony, but are suddenly mute on this much more important (and clear cut) issue.

It's not Georgia. Nalchik is in Kabardino-Balkaria, Russia.

<The place is not safe.>

Yeah, it's in Russia. And after reading some of the other letters on chessbase (including one that seems to suggest that part of a Canadian safety warning was fabricated) that the site itself is safer than I thought (the situation in Georgia is remains unresolved, however).

A decent part of the problem seems to be that so many of the most legendary female players are from Georgia. It's difficult to expect them to go play chess in a country which is, to one extent or the other, occupying their country.

<June 20, 2008
...
SAFETY AND SECURITY: Due to continued civil and political unrest throughout much of the Caucasus region, the Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens against travel to Chechnya and all areas that border it: North Ossetia, Ingushetia, Dagestan, Stavropol, Karachayevo-Cherkessiya, and Kabardino-Balkariya. The U.S. Government’s ability to assist Americans who travel to the northern Caucasus is extremely limited. Throughout the region, local criminal gangs have kidnapped foreigners, including Americans, for ransom. U.S. citizens have disappeared in Chechnya and remain missing. Close contacts with the local population do not guarantee safety. There have been several kidnappings of foreigners and Russians working for media and non-governmental organizations in the region. Due to the ongoing security concerns, U.S. Government travel to the area is very limited. American citizens residing in these areas should depart immediately as the safety of Americans and other foreigners cannot be effectively guaranteed.>