I am answering to your posts Budapest Olympiad (2024) (kibitz #282) and Budapest Olympiad (2024) (kibitz #283) because they raise an important point.

I generally agree there are double standards in answering to different events around the world. However the situation is different between Russia and Israel.

1. Russia invading Ukraine was a clear agression. Israel responded to a horrendous terrorist attack. Granted, the size of what they call a retaliation is now completely out of proportions, but the events developed in such a way there wasn't a clear-cut moment when FIDE could decide on a ban, as it was for Russia where the triggering point was the invasion.

Side note: how to qualify what Israel is doing in Gaza? War crimes for sure (bombing civilians amongst others). Crimes against humanity: debatable but probably yes (intentional killing of civilians). Genocide: debatable but so far probably no (intention to eradicate a group). Notably, the International Court of Justice have not ruled on this yet.

2. For this and other reasons which would be too complex to detail on this site, FIDE did not ban Israel. If they had, TBH I would have agreed and if they were considering lifting the ban, I would also have objected. (Yes I'm just an individual so my opinion doesn't matter much, but I still voice it.) It just so happens Israel is not on FIDE's agenda and I regret it as you do.

But then many nations are not either, and the list could be very long: Saudi Arabia, China, etc. It's impossible to ban all these. FIDE draws a line at some stage, based on specific events and IMHO it's better than nothing: it shows there is at least a line, even imperfect.

I regard Netanyahu as a self-serving, totally corrupt politician who only does this to remain prime minister and avoid the law suits that are bound to attack him the second he becomes a normal citizen. I also utterly detest and condemn Israel's annectation of any square foot of Palestenian land on the West Bank.

That, however, doesn't legitimize what Russia does to Ukraine. One offence doesn't justify another much worse. Russia has broken all international rules and acts like gangsters. Unfortunately, lifting the ban won't just humiliate Ukraine, it would be a severe blow to Ukraine's many democratic supporters, who, like Ukraine, just want piece.

Thanks for sharing your point of view and glad we agree on Israel and Russia. (I like the 95%, for we can generally never agree 100%.)

Someone famous once replied about porn - I know it when I see it. The same is true about genocide - I know it when I see it.

It is of course self-serving to argue on semantics, blame Netanyahu while supplying Israel with all weapons for mass-murder. It confuses our moral compass and gives everything a semblance of meaning. We need to get along with our lives without feeling too guilty after all.

Thanks for your post. Genocide is a complex subject involving history, international law, ethics, etc. I'm not an expert so I rely on international bodies such as the ICJ and the International Criminal Court, which so far do not mention genocide (the ICC mentions war crimes and crimes against humanity). Of course it's your right to have a different opinion and I respect it. As said, the notion is debatable.

On your second point, if we want to have an honest and mundane discussion, please don't over-interpret what we said. Atterdag and I never said Netanyahu is the only culprit, only that he's guilty, and my second post implies he's the main responsible of the situation.

I agree with you he's not the only one, even if your formulation is somewhat vague: who supplies weapons to Israel? The US mainly and some other Western countries, so indeed they are also partly responsible for what is happening. I don't say "we" because I disapprove as you do. The West is also guilty of not trying to seriously solve the Israel / Palestine conflict for decades.

But let's extend the list of responsibilities: a part of the Israeli population voted for Netanyahu and other extremist parties. A part is supporting this so-called "war". Political and terrorist organisations like Hamas and Hezbollah are fuelling the conflict. Arab states are not trying to help. The UN is hopeless partly because of the veto system.

Just following up on DL's depression. Don't want to post this on the match thread.

This afternoon I talked to my wife about DL's condition. She told me, they had two Chinese students at her clinic a couple of years ago. Talking about depression they both said, it was taboo in China; something that was suffered in silence or/and as a secret. Psychological illnesses were not acknowledge in the Chinese society.

Another, but similar curiosity (in lack of another word) is the fact that Japanese don't have a health insurance when they travel abroad. Having one is taken as a sign of weakness. So when they get ill, they have to pay the full bill for the treatment they receive. My wife had such a couple while she was in the neuro-surgical sector. The man got a concussion and was treated. Usually, an insurance pays for such things but they (doctors/nurses) were surprised learning that it was commin not to have one coming from Japan.

Thank you for sharing your wife's experience. Psychiatric nurse, it cannot be an easy job every day. Amazing the story about the Japanese, I didn't know about it even though we went to Japan once (loved it).

You're right about China, there is something cultural, probably a mix of traditions and communist regime: one cannot feel bad in a society striving towards the well-being of all its citizens. Right.

Originally I thought Ding was also secretive for tactical reasons (i.e. as a competitive player he shouldn't reveal his weaknesses) but apparently it's not the case since he's now quite open. It took some time passing the cultural hurdle and getting a bit better before being able to talk about it.

Thank you so much for your New Years greetings and I send all my best wishes back to you and hope you and your loved ones have entered the new year in grand style and that your road may fulfill many of your longings and wishes. And I thank you for several very fine exchanges back in 2024 as well as I am looking forward to further meetings with you !

Like you, I also pray for a better world in the sooner future, but meanwhle we will keep the spirit, shalln´t we !? And let the spirit keep us.

Thanks for the wishes and the compliment, many happy returns on both counts: happy new year & I always enjoy reading you. (I actually wanted to post on your profile page but it's not possible.) The fact we overall share the same political views is a nice side-effect.

And it's already here, well done: W Bialas vs P Mross, 1954 Apparently the submission was correct ;)

Reacting to your post Goldin vs A Stripunsky, 2004 (kibitz #27). Absolutely no issue about the language, was just teasing. (BTW it's funny the system let this pass because it even blocks expressions like WT* with a "F" at the end.) You are right, there's a quality issue recently, don't know what it's linked to. The operations of the site are quite opaque, as for most sites anyhow.

Just want to congratulate you on your rating progression, that's an achievement. Are you aiming for 2000?

Aiming for 2000... yes, but on the other hand part of the rating progression is inflation. The Dutch board normalized ratings from 1400 instead of 1000, so I defaulted from 1840 to low 1900s. Having said that, I'm keeping it steady, at 1936 now. Feel like I'm progressing a bit in skill (play on in drawing positions and more tenacious in lost positions), so lets see where I'm at in a year.