U.S. State Department Calls for Maintaining Sanctions on Russian and Belarusian Chess Federations: FIDE General Assembly Decision Looms

The upcoming General Assembly of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) is set to make a crucial decision regarding the sanctions imposed on the Russian and Belarusian chess federations. Two days before the assembly, the U.S. State Department has issued a statement urging to maintain the ban in light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Following Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, FIDE had suspended the Russian and Belarusian chess federations from international competitions. The U.S. strongly supports this decision, emphasizing the importance of upholding the rights of neutral chess players from Russia and Belarus.

The U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget A. Brink, took to Twitter to express opposition to lifting Russia’s suspension from FIDE, citing Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine as the reason for the ban.

The statement aligns with the stance of many Western chess federations and the European Chess Union, who have also urged FIDE to uphold the sanctions. The proposal to lift the sanctions, submitted by the Kyrgyz Chess Federation, would restore full membership rights to the Russian and Belarusian federations.

Notably, world-renowned chess player Magnus Carlsen voiced his opposition to the proposal during the FIDE Gala, where he received an award as the Greatest of All Time. Carlsen’s remarks were met with criticism from the Vice President of the Russian Chess Federation, who called out Carlsen for his negative comments about Russia.

With the proposal expected to go to a vote at the FIDE Congress, the chess world awaits the outcome of this pivotal decision. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.