Dennis focuses on what has almost become a "detail" after the subsequent turmoil: the Muzychuk sisters had been swiftly replaced after withdrawing "just a few days before the tournament", all seemed (reasonably) fine under the circumstances.
Not only has the war been going on for over one year, the GP series also started in September 2022. All Russians played the first event in Astana where the Muzychuk sisters were absent as scheduled. The Muzychuk sisters then played the second event in Munich where Kosteniuk was the only Russian. She had already announced her intention to change federations and is now representing Switzerland. So far it may have been hoping that the war would be over at some stage - as for the women candidates where Russians and Ukrainians could have met only in the final (now underway between two Chinese players). And maybe as requested by Munich organizers.
The Muzychuk sisters must have been aware of the fact that they would face several Russians in the remaining events, so logical questions are: What wasn't known before the event in Munich, other than their results - disappointing 9th and 11th places? What changed after the event in Munich? It would be a different story if the war had started in February 2023 rather than February 2022.
For what it's worth: Goryachkina apparently switched her affiliation to FIDE, always, not only temporarily as/when needed to participate in an event. Same story for Gunina and others (male players include Vitiugov, Alekseenko, Sarana, Esipenko and Fedoseev). According to the Lichess article, Shuvalova "expressed public opposition to the war". Which would leave Lagno who is originally from Ukraine like Karjakin. Her federation change had been controversial, but it seemed more a private affair between Grischuk's ex-wife Zhukova and Grischuk's current wife Lagno.
The event is also getting some of the weakest coverage I have seen. You can't get the standing on the supposed website of the Tournament. Have totally lost interest. What a shame for women's chess.
Dennis focuses on what has almost become a "detail" after the subsequent turmoil: the Muzychuk sisters had been swiftly replaced after withdrawing "just a few days before the tournament", all seemed (reasonably) fine under the circumstances.
Not only has the war been going on for over one year, the GP series also started in September 2022. All Russians played the first event in Astana where the Muzychuk sisters were absent as scheduled. The Muzychuk sisters then played the second event in Munich where Kosteniuk was the only Russian. She had already announced her intention to change federations and is now representing Switzerland. So far it may have been hoping that the war would be over at some stage - as for the women candidates where Russians and Ukrainians could have met only in the final (now underway between two Chinese players). And maybe as requested by Munich organizers.
The Muzychuk sisters must have been aware of the fact that they would face several Russians in the remaining events, so logical questions are: What wasn't known before the event in Munich, other than their results - disappointing 9th and 11th places? What changed after the event in Munich? It would be a different story if the war had started in February 2023 rather than February 2022.
For what it's worth: Goryachkina apparently switched her affiliation to FIDE, always, not only temporarily as/when needed to participate in an event. Same story for Gunina and others (male players include Vitiugov, Alekseenko, Sarana, Esipenko and Fedoseev). According to the Lichess article, Shuvalova "expressed public opposition to the war". Which would leave Lagno who is originally from Ukraine like Karjakin. Her federation change had been controversial, but it seemed more a private affair between Grischuk's ex-wife Zhukova and Grischuk's current wife Lagno.
The event is also getting some of the weakest coverage I have seen. You can't get the standing on the supposed website of the Tournament. Have totally lost interest. What a shame for women's chess.