On Sunday, FIDE’s general assembly maintained a ban on Russian and Belarusian players, which was imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. However, they supported easing restrictions for disabled and junior players. The Ukrainian government, the U.S. State Department, former world champion Magnus Carlsen, and members of the Ukraine Olympic team had urged federations to reject Kyrgyzstan’s motion to fully reinstate the two nations.
Ultimately, delegates from 66 countries backed a last-minute proposal by the FIDE Council to consult the International Olympic Committee about allowing some players and teams from Russia and Belarus, especially those with disabilities or children under 12, to return to international events. “This approach maintains FIDE’s commitment to inclusivity while respecting international norms,” said FIDE deputy president and former world champion Viswanathan Anand before the vote.
Forty-one delegates voted against readmitting the players, 21 countries supported lifting the ban completely, and 27 abstained or were absent. The FIDE Council, chaired by FIDE president and former Russian deputy prime minister Arkady Dvorkovich, oversees this decision. Dvorkovich has tried to avoid criticism from both Russia and the West.
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has upheld a ban on Russian and Belarusian players imposed over Moscow’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, prompting an angry response from the Kremlin accusing FIDE of bowing to Western pressure. https://t.co/e2pQ1gMLMM
— Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (@RFERL) September 23, 2024
Russian chess federation president Andrey Filatov mentioned that Dvorkovich was buying time to avoid sanctions from Ukraine and the United States. Following the IOC’s stance, Russian and Belarusian players, including 2021 and 2023 world championship runner-up Ian Nepomniachtchi, can compete under a neutral flag.
Pieter Heine Nielsen, Carlsen’s former coach and a frequent FIDE critic, stated that the vote avoided setting a dangerous precedent by diverging from the IOC. However, he believes FIDE should take stronger actions against Russia and Belarus. “In the last two years, Russia has held over a thousand chess events in occupied Ukraine without any discussion on stopping these events,” Nielsen pointed out.
Yolander Persaud who bravely voted for suspendering the Russian 🇷🇺 Chess Federation in a recent Ethics case, has been elected new head of the FIDE Ethics committee!! https://t.co/GQoGSU2u3k
— Peter Heine Nielsen (@PHChess) September 21, 2024
The FIDE General Assembly was held over the weekend in Budapest, alongside the 45th Chess Olympiad. This event, the world’s largest chess team competition, saw almost 2,000 participants. Indian players, including world championship challenger Gukesh Dommaraju, secured gold in both the open and women’s sections.
What Other Media Are Saying
- BBC News reports on a French mass rape trial where a husband admitted to being a rapist, highlighting the complexities and emotional toll of such cases on victims and families.
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- Hindustan Times reports that FIDE upholds the ban on Russian and Belarusian players due to their countries’ involvement in the Ukraine invasion, aligning with IOC policies to protect the integrity of international chess. (Read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What did FIDE decide about Russian and Belarusian chess players?
FIDE upheld the ban on Russian and Belarusian players, with potential easing for disabled and junior players.
Who supported the ban on Russian and Belarusian players?
The Ukrainian government, U.S. State Department, Magnus Carlsen, and Ukraine Olympic team members supported the ban.
What did the FIDE Council propose regarding the ban?
The FIDE Council proposed consulting the IOC about allowing disabled and junior players from Russia and Belarus.
What was the outcome of the FIDE General Assembly vote?
66 delegates supported the proposal, 41 opposed, 21 favored lifting the ban entirely, and 27 abstained or were absent.
Can Russian and Belarusian players participate in events under a neutral flag?
Yes, they can participate under a neutral flag, in line with the IOC’s stance.
