Chilling moment chess player allegedly poisons rival with deadly substance in assassination attempt
The chilling moment a Russian chess player appeared to allegedly poison her rival has been captured on camera.
Now when you think of a deadly sports rivalry, chess is unlikely to be the first thing that springs to mind.
However, a pro player has been accused of an assassination attempt on a competitor in a local tournament.
CCTV footage captured in southern Russia appeared to show 40-year-old chess pro Amina Abakarov allegedly chucking a substance onto a chess board at the Dagestan Chess Championship.
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In the grainy footage, which has been shared via The Sun, Abakarova can be seen cautiously approaching one of the boards in the room with a carrier bag in her hands.
After looking around to make sure she isn't being watched, she places her bag under one of the desks before approaching another chessboard and seemingly pouring a powdered substance over it.
She then takes a chess piece and gingerly smears the powder along the desk before appearing to look around again to see if she's being watched.
After making sure the coast is clear, Abakarova hastily makes her exit from the room.
According to Chess.com, she asked if the cameras were in operation, to which she was told they weren't.
It's unclear at exactly what time she had allegedly smeared the substance on the board, however, it's reported to have taken place ahead of the game.
When Umayganat Osmanova sat down to play her game, she later became unwell and complained of 'severe dizziness and nausea'.
However, Osmanova ended up going on to win a prize in the tournament.
It is reported that Abakarova had a 'personal hostility' towards 30-year-old Osmanova after she beat her in a previous tournament.
Meanwhile Abakarova has since been apprehended for her actions and reportedly confessed to pouring mercury from a thermometer onto Osmanova's board.
If inhaled, mercury can cause damage to the lungs, kidneys and nervous system, as well as the skin and eyes.
Abakarova now faces charges of 'intentional infliction of bodily harm' and could serve up to three years in prison if convicted.
Speaking about the incident, Dagestan's Minister of Sport Sazhida Sazhidova said she was 'perplexed' by the incident.
"Like many others, I am perplexed by what happened, and the motives of such an experienced competitor as Amina Abakarova are incomprehensible," she said.
"The actions she took could have led to a most tragic outcome, threatening the lives of everyone who was present, including herself.
"Now she must answer for what she did by the law."
Topics: World News, Crime
Brenna Cooper