Men would not be scared, if the women are chickens than don't play and get in the kitchen and make me another sandwich....

when fide is so proud about its slogan "gens una sumus" (we are one family) why they don’t care about the members of their family?

they know clearly – Georgians  would have huge problems there, but they dont care about!!

regarding russian misinformation:

All normal and conscious people, russians including, know that russia is agressor! this is not new.. just remember Czechoslovakia in 1968 and russian tanks in Prague!

Now rusiian army is marauding in Georgia - this is actually why they are in my homeland.. they are leaving Georgia and takeing everything with them - from WC-s to motorboats...

Dear American Friends!

Shlyu flame you greetings! Come to Nalchik, you have nothing to fear. You know what you differ from the Ossetian my friends? You have a choice!

You think you go or stay. Do you think that expensive - your personal safety or participate in the championship. And with my friends Ossetian choice was not. They had no choice when they bombed installations of "Grad" Georgian President Saakashvili, which protects your president - President of the United States of America! This is your marinetka Tskhinval bombs - it bombed Tskhinval you!

Come to us in Nalchik. We are waiting for you.

Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!

Haha enternal I loved that yahoo question!

Дорогие американские Друзья!

Шлю вам пламенный привет! Приезжайте в Нальчик, вам нечего бояться. Знаете чем вы отличаетесь от моих осетинских друзей? У вас есть выбор!

Вы думаете, ехать вам или остаться. Вы думаете, что дороже - ваша личная безопасность или участие в чемпионате. А у моих осетинских друзей выбора не было. У них не было выбора, когда их бомбил из установок "Град" грузинский президент Саакашвили, которому покровительствует ваш президент - президент Соединенных Штатов Америки! Это ваша маринетка бомбила Цхинвал - это вы бомбили Цхинвал!

Приезжайте в нам в Нальчик. Мы вас очень ждем.

Nalchik is 100 Km from the action, and the Russians are already pulling out. As long as the Georgians dont invade South Ossetia again in the next two weeks (when the tourny starts) all involved should be quite safe..

Anywhere on the Russian side of the border is safe, the Red Army kicked Georgian ass. Plus, there has been a peace accord reached.

Besides, after expiriencing several shelling and air raids, I can tell you they're not all they're cranked up to be.

the game cant take place in nalchik. what if the russians attack again do we want someone brilliant like polgar getting killed!!!! NO! We need to join together and boycott the tourney

On a slightly related note:

there is no excuse for what the FIDE president has said.  i will never play in the FIDE (i don t have to i m in america) under his presidency.  he was told that his players did not feel comfortable playing in nalchik and he essentially said "too bad" and then had the gall to say "we are one family"?  shaming and inexcusable.  i hope they all boycott the tournament.

Isn't there a ceasefire now?

safety first, thats what i think is best

Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, was quoted as writing, "We are aware of the recent developments in South Ossetia, and would like to express our most sincere condolences to all who have become victims of this terrible tragedy.
However, in the current situation I appeal to all not to mix politics and sport, and not to involve FIDE and the world chess community into political, territorial and other disputes." The second sentence contradicts what he chose to say in the first, if he meant to limit his condolences to South Ossetia rather than "all who have become victims." I am not going to go beyond what he actually said (it's not easy), because I do participate on this site for the "sport," not politics. Politics, however, sets the rules for human endeavors. 

May their trip be a safe one.

I concur with but3; in his fervor to avoid degenerating the discussion to a political strife, the President produced remarks that do little to mollify the concerns of the tournament particpants, the crafting of which may in fact bring about exactly that which they are designed to prevent, namely a referendum on Russia's political aspirations. Absent from the letter furnished by the participants is any indication of political interest; rather, the President himself elevated the rhetoric to that level. Had he simply addressed the question at hand rather than devolving into political speak, the politic-minded conversation that is sure to ensue may have been circumvented. Nonetheless, a military conflict within 100km of a sporting event woudl certainly depress my desire to attend.

If I was a woman and if I was scheduled to participate, I would at least consider not doing so at all to ensure less chance of danger.

players are concerned with their safety during a very dangerous time, the reply of the president did not address the issue, particpating at such a time im sure would hinder player concentration, they wouldnt be at their best, it wouldnt even be worth having the event unless it was moved to a location that provided a worry free atmosphere.

So far there seems to have been no conflict within the Russian border and based on current reports there seems to be no danger in visiting the area for the tournament.  It seems that the only hot region at the moment is in Abkhazia and focusing against Georgia rather than Russia.

The only reason to not attend in that location would be on political grounds due to Russias handling of the incident, not anything to do with personal safety.

I'd say your chances of dying are much higher when you take a cab to the airport at your home city, than by a stray bullet in Nalchik. 

The question is: How safe is it in Nalchik? Yes, there is a conflict going on in the region, but not in Nalchik (as far as I know). Also, if you take out Google Maps and search for Nalchik, you see that Nalchik is roughly 100km from the border to Georgia. Isn't that far enough away?