ChessBase.com recently posted a letter by the charismatic GM Tkachiev. Here is his letter:
Dear ChessBase Readers,
I would like to explain the recent incident at the Calcutta tournament in which I was involved. From the very beginning of the event I experienced problems with health and acclimatization, and had to take strong medications, which obviously affected my ability to play.
I wish to express my gratitude to the Alekhine Chess Club for their hospitality and a high level of organization of the event. I thank all media who have published this letter.
Best regards,
Vlad Tkachiev
Chess Daily News from Susan Polgar
Nothing he can say or do can change what he had done.
was he drunk when he wrote this letter ? Its so abrupt and haphazard !
I heard that after he typed that message he said to his laptop, “So you think you’re better than me!?” took a swing at it, missed, and collapsed on the floor beside his chair.
Laptop 1 GM 0
What a baloney!
Was there alcohol in those “medications”? If not, why was he drunk then? It was obvious for anybody that was present that he was drunk! Medications my ass.
The cost/litre of medications these days is getting ridiculous
One of the best signs of an alcoholic is the ability or need to deny an incident or a pattern. “that time? Oh, no I had a flu, we had our yearly celebration, I took som medication, I had jet-lag”. Pick one. “Patterns” they take as an insult-“I dont have alcohol problems”- Iam just having a good time, stay off of my back”. Pathetic, but what else to expect. I pity them, have to many ex-friends doing the same.
I think it’s time to put this behind and move on.