
A Russian chess champion who tried to poison an opponent during the Dagestan Chess Championship held in Makhachkala in early August is facing three years in prison.
Footage captured by a security camera shows 40-year-old Amina Abkarova entering the hall where the games were to be held on August 2.
The woman is seen looking at some charts on a bench (which probably indicated where her opponent would sit) and after making sure the field is clear, approaches one of the chessboards already set up.
After glancing around to make sure none of the few in the room were watching, she pulls something out of her bag. She is then seen pouring a substance over the table and chess pieces and leaves.
Abkarova's target, according to international media, was the 30-year-old Umayganar Osmanova , who after sitting down at the chess table showed health deterioration during the match.
This action of the 40-year-old came to light after a competition judge reported to the police about Osmanova's strange condition, causing security cameras to be checked.
Abkarova later admitted to authorities that she had broken a thermometer on the 30-year-old's chess table and poured mercury on it.
A Dagestan chess player tried to poison her opponent with mercury during competitions
— Sota News (@sotanews) August 7, 2024
The champion of the North Caucasus Federal District in chess Amina Abakarova tried to poison her opponent Umayganat Osmanova right during the competitions, which took place on August 2 in… pic.twitter.com/l9RmMg6xYF
She even allegedly tried to justify her act by saying that Osmanova was the one who started the fight between them, after she had insulted him and her family in a previous tournament.
"I am shocked by what happened. I cannot understand the motives that led an experienced chess player like Abakharova to do this," said the Minister of Sports of Dagestan, Sazida Sazidova. "Her actions can have a tragic ending, threatening the lives of all the contestants, including herself.
Abkarova won the Caucasus Regional Chess Championship last year and works as a chess coach at a school in Makhachkala.