http://chessbase.com/newsdetail.asp?newsid=8096

We received a fairly bitter letter from Dutch GM Ivan Sokolov (above) regarding the forfeit in round two against Tania Sachdev. Ivan explains that he and Loek van Wely had shared a taxi which had mistakenly driven them to a distant part of Dubai. After the mistake had been corrected the two arrived 32 minutes after the start of the round (30 minutes are allowed). "Loek opponent clearly understood the problem and wanted to play the game," says Ivan. "My opponent wanted her point very badly. After the appeals committee had positively answered our appeal and allowed our games to be played, Loek's game started. Tania Sachdev left the playing hall once she saw appeals committee meeting with deliberate intention to 'win' her point. She was in her hotel, so I got a zero. About 15 minutes later the Delhi girl happily arrived back in the playing hall..."

To which Tania Sachdev replied: "They have no zero tolerance here and with a 30 minute default time the games start at 5:30 p.m. All the players leave by the official bus together at 4:45. My opponent showed up a little over the default time for whatever reason he claimed. The arbiter stopped the clock on my board and signed the sheets, I left for my hotel about 15 minutes later, around half past six, not even aware that there was going to be an appeal. At half past seven in the evening I got a call from the organizer stating that they have decided that I must play the game and must get to the tournament hall as soon as I can, which is a little far and if stuck in traffic can take forever. It was of course not ideal to start playing at 8 p.m. when the game is suppose to begin at half past five, but in any case if they said I had to then I had to. However five minutes later, while I was at the reception leaving, I got another call saying that there has been a miscommunication and that there is a possibility of a rematch only if I want it and its not forced. I took the decision that I did not want to start my game at eight in the evening, and that was it. As I was on my way I went to the hall and reached well past eight p.m. I am extremely shocked at Mr. Sokolov's reaction. This is a sport and there are rules. If a person is not able to make it on time, let alone 30 minutes later, for whatever reason, I really think the least they can do is get over it, instead of making themselves sound like the victim of their opponents decision."

Seems like they both have a point. If the match starts at 5.30, the match starts at 5.30... Personally, I feel miss Sachdev could have used this opportunaty to be a great sports(wo)man. But in all fairness, the decission seems to be hers.  

wow. I think the indian girl had something going on with that taxi driver. too strange. it would be interesting to know how often such "mistakes" occur with taxi drivers.  it would also be interesting to know if such things often happen to her opponents. 

I would be pissed too if I saw here walking around the area, knowing I was late because of someone else's mistake, and she refuses to play on a technicality.  Can't say for sure if it happened as he said, but if so, I would be livid. 

notice how she doesn't ever state the actual reason he was late in her statement always referring to it as "whatever reason". suspicious in my opinion.

and just a general note. some people are freaking crazy and will do real messed up things to people. they will lie, cheat, steal etc to get ahead.