In the Russian Republic of Dagestan, a female chess player is caught poisoning her opponent. The evidence comes from a security 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 match, the Russian player Amina Abakarova allegedly spread mercury on the board 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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How Amina Abakarova poisoned her opponent
What exactly happened? Twenty minutes before the chess match was supposed to begin, Amina Abakarova allegedly went to the table where she was set to play against her opponent Umayganat Osmanova. She is said to have had a broken thermometer with her, from which she let the mercury run out and spread it on the chessboard, primarily on her opponent’s side.
During the match, about half an hour after it started, Osmanova began to feel dizzy, nauseous, and had difficulty breathing. Doctors were called who determined that the symptoms could indicate poisoning. Another person in the room also had the same symptoms of poisoning.
Why did Abakarova act this way? A possible motive is the fact that Abakarova was defeated by Osmanova in a chess tournament a week earlier, and the two women have been rivals for some time. Abakarova only placed second. Thus, the attempted poisoning could be interpreted as a form of revenge.
What are the consequences? The Russian Chess Federation has immediately provisionally suspended Amina Abakarova. However, a verdict is still pending. If a verdict is reached against her, the player would likely be indefinitely suspended by the Russian Chess Federation and could face up to three years in prison.
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