<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.>

Total nonsense.

'Heavy military activity, terrorist bombings, kidnappings, and unexploded mines and munitions are widespread'.

Culture difference? They are both Americans and I think Susan is getting along fine in America. Regardless of their heritage, they have assimilated and are contributing their bit to American society and the world at large. They have common passions and interests (CHESS) and I think it's great that their career objectives overlap as well. Wouldn't you like to get paid for what you loved doing? Are you against people of different races, cultures getting together? And as far as playing strength is concerned, one of the two would have to be rated higher, more popular etc. or are you suggesting that a marriage must be between players of equal strength only?

As far as Kosteniuk is concerned, had she married some suave billionaire, people would have called her a slut, but it's good that she chose to follow her heart and married the man she loves. Or are you saying that you should only fall in love under certain conditions?

1. He (Truong) is Filipino, she (Polgar) is Hungarian. Yes I know they are Americans now. That was my point though.

2. I never said I thought they (Polgar/Truong) weren't both great for chess, or that they (People of different races) shouldn't be together, just it was an interesting pairing, whereas Kosteniuk was not so much interesting as bizarre.

3. Again, you missed my point regarding rating differences.. there are a lot of players that "hang on" to stronger chess players in order to gain.. something.. skill, recognition, whatever.. you know it, they know it, I know it. What I said was since they've married it's evident Truong was NOT with her for that reason. But you jumped to conclusions about my political affiliations because you hold some prejudices yourself I think.

4. Kosteniuk - Why would you call her a slut for being with a billionaire? I wouldn't. Second. Excuse me for being a little suspicious when she almost never mentions her husband in interviews or on her website, and there are even very few pictures of them together.. and when you do see them he looks like a little kid who got a Tickle me Elmo for Christmas while the other kids got rocks.. I have no idea why she married him.. maybe it is love.. I KNOW why he married her though.. because he was an ugly 40-something dude who was able to score a hot 17 (I think she was) year old girl and sponge off her money-wise at the same time.

You used the word 'bizarre' which has a negative connotation. It's not the same as 'interesting'.

<Again, you missed my point regarding rating differences.. there are a lot of players that "hang on" to stronger chess players in order to gain.. something.. skill, recognition, whatever.. you know it, they know it, I know it. What I said was since they've married it's evident Truong was NOT with her for that reason.>

You called the pairing of Polgar and Truong 'bizarre' and referred to them as an odd couple. Obviously you were trying to suggest something in an underhanded manner. Paul Truong hasn't become some celebrity after his marriage to Polgar. People still barely know him and I don't believe he intended to feed off Polgar's popularity like you were suggesting previously, but changed your stance later as a face saving measure. Truong and Polgar had some common interests and passions w.r.t chess and they are helping build their dream together. There will always be pairs unevenly matched in Chess as there are so few female GMs and so many male GMs and most women are rated far below men. Since chess is a common passion, GM couples find they can help improve each other's games by discussing ideas. You mentioned this in your last post. A spouse as a second/manager becomes all the more trustworthy. Nothing odd or bizarre about such pairings.

<Kosteniuk - Why would you call her a slut for being with a billionaire? I wouldn't.>

Most people would and do.

<Second. Excuse me for being a little suspicious when she almost never mentions her husband in interviews or on her website, and there are even very few pictures of them together..>

She has a right to her private life and need not discuss it in public. How often did you find Kasparov mentioning his wife in interviews? or Kramnik for that matter since he got married?

<and when you do see them he looks like a little kid who got a Tickle me Elmo for Christmas while the other kids got rocks..>

irrelevant to the discussion

<I have no idea why she married him..>

Then best not to speculate, especially in a negative manner.

<I KNOW why he married her though.. because he was an ugly 40-something dude who was able to score a hot 17 (I think she was) year old girl and sponge off her money-wise at the same time.>

Ugly or not, most men desire hot women, nothing wrong with that. I think that's what you seek as well. However, I don't believe Kosteniuk is his sugar momma though.

<I think anyone who fails to see something "odd" about that pairing is likely.. and I will put this as kindly as I can.. a chessplayer with rather lacking social skills regarding the female persuasion who is living vicariously through someone who managed to land the "hottest" woman in chess... i.e. hope for geeks everywhere.>

You seem to find it odd, because you obviously haven't stepped out of your small, conservative social circle and seen the world at large where such things are quite common. You have never met (I assume?) Kosteniuk's husband and don't know what he's like in person and have already labeled him a geek! You seem to forget (or perhaps have never noticed because of your lack of knowledge of the world at large) that women don't marry or date men merely based on their looks, and there are other factors that make it possible for so many "ugly" or "average looking" men to be with beautiful women. Perhaps you have been rejected by women on such grounds in the past and are bitter about this, and keep spreading such BS as if it were gospel...

1. I think rather than slut the word you're looking for is "golddigger".

2. I've seen far more of Kasparov's and Kramnik's family in news than Kosteniuk. In addition she's posted lots of stuff about her personal life online before.. growing up.. her dad.. sister.. just not her husband.

3. I am not speculating as to her intentions.. I said I have no idea.. and I don't.

4. I am in fact married to an attractive woman.. but if I were hypothetically single.. I doubt I'd go around scouting out local high schools for my next girlfriend... and I'm about 15 years younger than whats-his-face.

5. I know this sort of thing is common.. never said it wasn't.. I never said he was a geek...and I have no trouble with women thank you very much. Yes there are plenty of reasons an attractive girl marries and unattractive man.. but since you asked me not to speculate I won't..

If so, Irina, CALL ME! :)>