A 40-year-old chess player from Russian Republic of Dagestan, Amina Abakarova has been suspended and is facing up to three years in jail after allegedly poisoning her opponent Umayganat Osmanova, during the Dagestan Chess Championship.
Amina Abakarova has been suspended by the Russian Chess Federation. Following this, security camera footage of the incident is going viral over the internet. In the CCTV, Amina Abakarova can be seen calmly walking over to Osmanova’s board 20 minutes before the game, smearing what is believed to be deadly mercury from a thermometer onto the board. She also put some mercury on some of Osmanova’s pieces.
Reportedly, Umayganat Osmanova began feeling unwell shortly after the game initiated, complaining of nausea and dizziness. She was immediately taken to the hospital.
After being investigation, the accused accepted that she wanted to known her opponent out of the tournament due to personal hostility towards Osmanova. She further confessed that her intention was not to harm Osmanova but to scare her.
Following this, the President of the Russian Chess Federation, Andrey Filatov confirmed that Abakarova is temporarily suspended from Russian chess events pending an investigation.
Later, Dagestan’s Minister of Sport, Sazhida Sazhidova, expressed shock over the incident and said that strict action will be taken.
After recovering from poisoning, Osmanova continued the tournament. She grabbed the second position and won a prize. Abakarova was expelled after the fourth round.
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PHChess May 22, 2024