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The All India Chess Federation (AICF) is going absurd lengths in pursuing a grudge against Koneru Humpy. Reportedly, AICF has complained to the Fide Ethics Committee that the world #3 broke Fide's Code of Ethics (goo.gl/PUUoPA), with "reckless allegations".
As related in my last column, Humpy misinterpreted the arbiter's announcement of the time control, and flagged out in the fourth round of the recent Commonwealth Chess Championships in Delhi. She appealed and withdrew from the tournament after the appeal was rejected. She then gave a critical interview to the website, Chessbase.com (goo.gl/zveijw).
The AICF complaint details "offences" against Rule# 2.2.6 (withdrawing without valid reason), #2.2.9 (unjustifiable accusations), #2.2.10 (occurrences which cause chess, FIDE or its federations to appear in unjustifiable, unfavourable light) and # 2.2.11 (conduct likely to injure or discredit the reputation of FIDE, events, organisers). Possible punishments are draconian, with a fine as high $25,000, revocation of the title and a ban from the game for 15 years. The Association of Chess Professionals is likely to get involved in defending Humpy.
This has the makings of a cause celebre. My guess: the AICF is embarrassed by the global publicity and would like Humpy to publicly apologise. But she may be forced to defend herself due to the huge penalties. The "offence", is in itself, debatable. It is unlikely a professional sportsperson can be deprived of her livelihood, or otherwise punished, for an interview. The incident occurred in India, Chessbase is German, and Fide is headquartered in Switzerland. All three nations have reasonable free speech protection, which may override Fide's Code, even if Humpy is found "guilty".
The Streisand Effect will now ensure more publicity. (Barbra Streisand tried to suppress photographs of her beach home, taken during an obscure study on coastal erosion. After she went to court, the images were downloaded 420,000 times.)
In "other news", Fabiano Caruana cracked Dortmund, with 5.5 from 7. He won the last five games in a row. His live Elo is 2808, putting him at #5, behind Magnus Carlsen, Viswanathan Anand, Vaselin Topalov and Hiraku Nakamura. Wesley So and Dieter-Liviu Nisipeanu tied for 2-3 (4 each). Also, Wang Yue leads the Hainan Danzhou Super GM with 5 points from 6 rounds. But the buzz there is about an incredible game by Wei Yi that we'll look at next week.
From the Diagram, BLACK TO PLAY, (White: Nisipeanu Vs Black: Caruana, Dortmund 2015), Black ignores all threats, playing 27.- a5!! 28.Nd4 axb4 29.Nxc6 b3 30.Rxc7 Nd6! (0-1). The b-pawn queens. A great finish. Alternatives are 30.Nb4 b2 31.Rd1 Nd2 and 30.Na7 b2 31.Rd1 Bf4! 32.Rb1 Bc1 33. Nb5 Nd2 34. Na3 Nxe4 35. Nc4 Nxc3 36. Rxb2 Bxb2 with a lost endgame.
Devangshu Datta is an internationally rated chess and correspondence chess player
