Russian video shows chess player trying to poison rival before tournament

MOSCOW

Russia is investigating an incident in which one chess player spilled poisonous mercury on the board of a rival player before a tournament, Russia’s Investigative Committee said on Wednesday.

CCTV footage in the Dagestan region last Friday captured Amina Abakarova, 40, apparently putting mercury from a thermometer onto the playing board and a piece used by Umayganat Osmanova, 30, her rival.

The footage was posted Wednesday on Telegram.

Osmanova felt unwell at the start of Friday’s chess tournament and was taken to a hospital.

The Russian Chess Federation said in a statement that it had temporarily disqualified Abakarova and is waiting for a legal judgment. If her guilt is proven, she will be permanently disqualified.

In an interview with the Russian media, Abakarova explained her actions as "an impulsive decision related to personal hostility," arguing that it had nothing to do with chess or the tournament.

According to Abakarova, her rival Osmanova said unpleasant things about her and her relatives, offending her.

Investigators opened a criminal case for causing minor harm to health, with a maximum punishment of up to four months in prison.

Mercury is a metal that belongs to the extremely toxic substances of hazard class one. Even short-term contact with this dangerous metal can lead to serious health problems.