Indian chess players allegedly attacked by goons in Makati

Three Indian chess players participating in the 17th Asian Continental Chess Championships were allegedly attacked by local goons over the weekend, news site Chess Base India reported.

The event, a prelude to the World Cup of the Fédération Internationale des Échecs or World Chess Federation (FIDE), was hosted by the Philippines in Makati City and commenced on December 10.

India's ace player Vidit Gujrathi, posted in his social media account the incident which supposedly happened on December 9 when he and his colleagues Abhijit Kunte and Lalith Babu went outside their hotel in Makati to buy drinking water.

"We were attacked by local goons who possessed weapons. We were cornered and then attacked," he said in a Facebook post.

"We tried to flee but we were chased and finally marginally escaped. We are still trying to recover from this horrible incident," he added.

Vidit expressed dismay over the alleged response of the organizers when they initially reported the incident.

"The saddest part is that upon informing this to organizers they remained aloof and ignored the seriousness of the issue," he said.

The chess player also lamented over the overpriced hotel rooms that were charged to the participants, and the 'unsatisfactory service' that came with it.

"I had to pay 150 USD for a room which actually costs 35-50 dollars as per the hotel and other websites... After paying 150 dollars, there is no internet in the room. Food provided is awful. There is even no drinking water in the room(!!)," Vidit said.

According to the same article of Chess Base India, FIDE Director-General Emil Sutovsky already coordinated with the organizers of the chess event regarding the matter.

"I already inquired the organizers, and I look forward to hear their side of the story. However, no explanation for 300-400% surcharge is valid. And FIDE will look into the measures to remedy the situation ASAP - not limiting ourselves to just agreeing it is not OK," Sutovsky was quoted as saying.

It was also reported that the three Indian players involved in the incident were in touch with the Embassy of India in Manila, and have already been accompanied by one of the organizers to Makati City Police on Monday morning.

Their security was reassured throughout the tournament.

GMA News Online tried to get further details on the reported incident but the police office said they do not casually release such information as part of their standard operating procedures. —Dona Magsino/ LDF, GMA