Sports
Chess Champion Caught On Camera Attempting To Poison Rival Before Match (Video)
Russian chess champion Amina Abakarova, 43, was allegedly caught on camera attempting to poison her longtime rival, Umayganat Osmanova, 30, during a chess tournament in Makhachkala, Dagestan.
The unsettling event, captured on CCTV, shows Abakarova smearing what is believed to be mercury on Osmanova’s chessboard and pieces, causing the latter to experience severe nausea and dizziness.
The incident occurred during the Dagestan Chess Championship on August 2, 2024. Abakarova, who has been a chess coach in Dagestan, was seen entering the tournament room approximately 20 minutes before Osmanova’s arrival.
The CCTV footage, which has since gone viral, shows her discreetly pouring a substance from what appeared to be a thermometer onto Osmanova’s chessboard and pieces. Afterward, Abakarova is seen quickly leaving the room, unaware that her actions were being recorded.
As the match began, Osmanova, along with one of the event organizers, began to feel unwell, experiencing symptoms of nausea and dizziness. Medical assistance was immediately called, and doctors later confirmed that mercury poisoning was the cause of their sickness.
Following the incident, Abakarova was detained by local authorities and now faces potential criminal charges, including a lifetime ban from the sport and possible jail time.
Russian media reports suggest that Abakarova’s actions were motivated by personal animosity, as she and Osmanova had been childhood rivals with a long history of tension.
Dagestan’s Minister of Sport, Sazhida Sazhidova, expressed her disbelief over the incident, stating, “The actions taken by Amina Abakarova are incomprehensible, especially for someone of her experience.
This could have led to a tragic outcome, not just for Osmanova but for everyone present, including herself. She must now answer for her actions under the law.”
The Russian Chess Federation has also taken swift action by suspending Abakarova from all official events pending the outcome of the investigation.
Alexander Tkachyov, the executive director of the Russian Chess Federation, stated, “We are considering a lifetime ban for Abakarova, but we will await the results of the police investigation before making a final decision. We deeply regret that such an incident took place at a chess tournament.”
Osmanova later expressed her feelings about the ordeal, stating, “I felt terrible, both physically and emotionally. The thought that someone would go to such lengths over a game is horrifying. I don’t know what would have happened if I hadn’t noticed the symptoms early on.”
This incident has sparked widespread outrage and concern within the chess community, with many calling for stricter security measures at tournaments.
Malcolm Pain, the director of international chess at the English Chess Federation, remarked, “This is the first recorded instance of someone using a toxic substance in a chess game. It’s beyond anything we’ve seen before and a sad day for the sport.”
Watch the video below:
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