More Trouble between Moscow & Washington?

Karpov Denied US Visa

The big story today in the world chess community is that the US government has denied Anatoly Karpov entry into the United States. The Duma deputy member and former World Champion had filed for a Visa as long ago as March, but the US deliberately dragged its feet.

Here is what I could find on reddit:

Anatoly Karpov could not fly to New York for the traditional chess training camp of Maxim Dlugy Academy . The previous two years flew without any difficulties.

This time, the former world champion and State Duma deputy filed a visa application in early March. They talked to him at the American embassy and asked if he intends to communicate with congressmen in the country. Karpov replied that the purpose of his trip was exclusively chess.

Formally, they did not refuse to obtain a visa, but the application is still “at the verification stage”, as the US Department of State answers. The training camp took place last week; Karpov participated in them on Skype.

Neither the letter from the senator and congressman of New York, nor the invitation from the chief sheriff of the city of Chicago, nor the fact that once US President George W. Bush assigned Anatoly Karpov the title of Honorary Citizen of Texas, helped.  (LINK)

GM’s Dlugy, Alburt, Karpov and Lenderman from a previous chess camp in the US