Chess World Cup Criticisms: Ian Nepomniachtchi Speaks Out on Subpar Hotel Conditions

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Russian Grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi has revisited his criticism of the 2025 Chess World Cup held in Goa, India. In a recent YouTube podcast interview, Nepomniachtchi expressed concerns about the hotel accommodations, specifically Resort Rio, which he described as 'one of the worst hotels' and 'unacceptable'. Nepomniachtchi, who lost to Diptayan Ghosh in the second round, initially criticized the hotel conditions, citing poor rooms, bad food, and inadequate service. During the podcast, he acknowledged that Goa is a lovely destination but felt that the hotel chosen for the tournament fell short. Comparing the conditions to other tournaments, Nepomniachtchi mentioned the Capablanca Memorial in Cuba, where he enjoyed better food and more comfortable accommodations. He also noted that his fellow player, Andrey Esipenko, had difficulty finding suitable food options at the hotel. The controversy surrounding Nepomniachtchi's comments has sparked a debate, with some players defending the Russian Grandmaster's criticism and others, like Dutch GM Anish Giri, dismissing the allegations. The owner of Resort Rio has also responded, attributing the issues to the humid climate and presence of mosquitoes in Goa. Nepomniachtchi's comments have reignited the discussion about hotel conditions at international chess tournaments, highlighting the importance of choosing suitable venues for players. While some critics argue that Nepomniachtchi's remarks were unfair, the Russian Grandmaster remains firm in his assessment, emphasizing that the conditions were 'unacceptable'.