The world chess champion said the word 'war' cannot be used in Russia
Russian Dubov: My government made a big mistake
Dubov: I feel the penalties and I can live with them.
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The Russian world chess champion, Daniil Dubov, spoke about the Ukrainian war, and said in an interview with the magazine "Der Spiegel" that his country's government made a big mistake.
SPIEGEL: You are one of 44 Russian chess players who sent an open letter to Russian President Vladimir Putin at the beginning of last March, asking him to end the war against Ukraine. Why did you decide to do this?
•• Dubov: You might think that Russia is a bad country and that we are a bad people.
But there are many Russians who share the same values you hold in Europe.
And when the military actions against Ukraine started, it seemed crazy, and we were shocked.
When we published our letter, I was relieved to hope that it would make a difference.
Now it seems she hasn't changed anything.
So far, the word "war" cannot be used in Russia.
Our message was published before the issuance of the law criminalizing those who use the word "war", so at least we are not criminals in the eyes of the state.
SPIEGEL: Can you say the word war now?
•• Dubov: No.
The Russian media can't say a word about me.
Oddly enough, one word can cause you trouble.
SPIEGEL: Were you the one who took the initiative to write the letter?
•• Dubov: The message was started by me, but then a whole team participated in it.
SPIEGEL: Do you feel that it can cause you trouble?
Dubov: This type of protest does not usually lead to serious problems.
There may still be bad consequences, but they won't put you in jail for doing something like this.
There are many Russians who have said similar things in public.
SPIEGEL: TV presenter Marina Ovsennikova paid a fine because she protested the war on Russian television. She cannot go back to her previous life. And the Kremlin opponent, Alexei Navalny, has been in prison for a while. Aren't you afraid of the dire consequences of what you did?
•• Dubov: I don't know.
There are a lot of people who criticize Putin and they are still free.
In fact, I don't see myself in trouble.
And I did not insult my country.
I think my government made a big mistake.
SPIEGEL: Do you consider yourself a political opponent of Putin even before the war?
•• Dubov: To be a real opponent, you have to do something.
Politics is not my profession.
But I love my country and I want it to remain in good shape.
And I criticize things because I have the right to do so.
SPIEGEL: What are the consequences of the war that you feel personally?
•• Dubov: Like many Russians, I have friends in Ukraine who I worry about, and about what is happening now.
SPIEGEL: Do your Ukrainian friends stop calling you because you are Russian?
•• Dubov: Not to this degree, but of course there are many effects of the war.
SPIEGEL: Do you personally feel the effects of Western sanctions on Russia?
•• Dubov: Yes, I feel it, but I can live with it. For example, I did not receive my prize money for the first competition called the “Grand Prize” last February, due to the problems caused by transferring in banks.
Instagram was closed, and Netflix was suspended for movies and dramas.
Some medicines are no longer available, but compared to some people who suffer a lot, these problems are really negligible.
SPIEGEL: Russian football players are not allowed to play in the upcoming football world championship under their country's flag, but rather the FIFA flag. what do you think about that?
•• Dubov: I find this strange.
Everyone knows where I live, what country I've been playing for in chess competitions.
In fact, banning the state flag is tantamount to equating it with the current Russian government.
I feel great when I play for Russia, but I do not represent the Kremlin, but my people and my country.
SPIEGEL: Are you afraid that you will not be invited to competitions in a chess tournament because of your nationality? ie that you are being banned?
•• Dubov: Fear is an exaggerated word.
Of course, the number of invitations Russian players get is decreasing.
But I don't really care about that idea at the moment, I'm playing in Berlin now.
• Like many Russians, I have friends in Ukraine that I worry about, and about what is happening now. entertainment
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