Playing chess with russians?

@bellywound said in #7:
> Why stop it "Stop this russianism" Wassim. Seems like a modest protest.
Because people need to stop shuffling the difference between a russian guy with a gun and a mitraillette and a russian guy who just wants to play for fun. People are blindly starting forums about " plz can u change lichess so that we dont plai with russians". I asked "Stop this russianism" as a gentle request to reset things up, to ignore the nationality of the one we play against and just play chess.

@WassimBerbar said in #21:
> Because people need to stop shuffling the difference between a russian guy with a gun and a mitraillette and a russian guy who just wants to play for fun.

Please, explain us what is the difference. Pretty sure that "fun russian guy" also voted for putin, most probably supports the war and even if not, almost certainly did not protest against it in any way. There are no "different russians".

@bellywound said in #20:
>
That is correct. There is no certain way to know you play russian unless they present their flag. And it is not the best time to show this flag nowadays tbh.

@Alex_1987 said in #22:
> Pretty sure...
Being pretty sure of something only says something about yourself, not about what you're pretty sure of.

@polylogarithmique said in #24:
> Being pretty sure of something only says something about yourself, not about what you're pretty sure of.

Do you try to look like philosopher? Of course there are some things I am pretty sure about! This phenomenon is called "objective reality".

There's a lot of good Russian people out there. They don't deserve to all be punished for something they had no say in. Also - a lot of people are unassuming pawns that don't necessarily mean ill, but get temporarily caught up in something. If you had lived in post 9/11 USA or post-Iraq war USA one might really understand how propaganda and constructed national fervor can make resistance an almost life-ruining prospect. To speak out against something might mean sacrifice of your entire standing and life as a citizen - and some people just don't have it in themselves to make that kind of sacrifice, because they feel entirely alone in doing so.

@twighead said in #26:
> There's a lot of good Russian people out there.

I am fine to separate Iranians from their government for example. But ordinary russians actually do willingly support their country's actions. And their sportsmen often do. And their chess-players often do (go read kazanchess and other russians on these forums). All these "some russians are different" are just to avoid responsibility.

Any nationality,any people of any race are always welcome to play chess with me

@Alex_1987 said in #27:
> I am fine to separate Iranians from their government for example. But ordinary russians actually do willingly support their country's actions. And their sportsmen often do. And their chess-players often do (go read kazanchess and other russians on these forums). All these "some russians are different" are just to avoid responsibility.
I also agree there are many conscious and fervent supporters. I'm only talking about the people who wouldn't say anything unless you asked them 'do you support the war' and they might shyly be like '...yes' Just to avoid persecution.

Persecution of people who are on the fence, can also push them into the hands of their more radical true believers - it's good to have some compassion for those who are caught in the crossfire.