In the Russian Republic of Dagestan, a chess player is discovered poisoning her opponent. The evidence is provided by a surveillance camera recording.
Where and when did the incident occur? On August 2, 2024, the chess tournament of the Republic of Dagestan took place in Makhachkala, Russia. Shortly before her game, Russian player Amina Abakarova is said to have scattered mercury on the court of her opponent Umayganat Osmanova.
Liquid mercury is a highly toxic metal that can be fatal if inhaled or swallowed. Contact with the skin is also dangerous.
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This is how Amina Abakarova poisoned her opponent
What exactly happened? According to the allegations, 20 minutes before the chess match was due to begin, Amina Abakarova went to the table where she was to play against her opponent Umayganat Osmanova. She allegedly had a broken thermometer with her, from which she let the mercury flow out and spread it on the chessboard, mainly on her opponent’s side.
During the match, about half an hour after the start, Osmanova began to feel dizzy, nauseous and had difficulty breathing. Doctors were called and determined that the symptoms could indicate poisoning. Another person in the room also had the same symptoms of poisoning.
Why did Abakarova act like this? One possible motive is the fact that Abakarova had been beaten by Osmanova in a chess tournament a week earlier and the two women have been rivals for a long time. Abakarova only came second. The attempted poisoning could therefore be interpreted as a kind of act of revenge.
What are the consequences? The Russian Chess Federation immediately suspended Amina Abakarova temporarily. However, a verdict is still pending. If a verdict is passed against her, the player would likely be suspended for life by the Russian Chess Federation and could face up to three years in prison.
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