Reportedly poisoned by laughing gas, it was 17 months ago today 27-year-old Russian chess star Stanislav Bogdanovic and his 18-year-old girlfriend, Alexandra Vernigora, also a top chess player, were found dead on the floor of their Moscow apartment.
In a world where chess can be politics, we are not wrong to wonder what happened. Bogdanovic had just participated in a Russia-Ukraine match. And we know of the war and conflict between those two nations. He was born in Ukraine, but had just switched to playing for Russia. His participation for Russia was controversial. "I believe that this way I've made a modest contribution toward the peace between our countries," he explained.
But, he also allowed that Russia's paying him was a factor. "I do whatever is better for business," he said. "Without donations, I could not play for any team."
To which Russia was quick to respond. "We never pay anyone to participate," said a spokesperson for Team Russia. "To play for your flag is a matter of personal prestige, not money."
Bogdanovic was a magnificent chess player, a grandmaster whose peak rating had reached a gaudy 2616. He had been called, "perhaps the most-talented player in the entire history of Odessa."
Dead at 27, along with his girlfriend. Time rolls on and such things are soon forgotten. They touch the news, but quickly are lost. It is said time heals all wounds. It should also be said time forgets them -- even when they should not be forgotten.
No comments:
Post a Comment