International Chess Federation suspends Russia's membership

International Chess Federation suspends Russia's membership (freepik.com)

The International Chess Federation has temporarily suspended membership of the Chess Federation of Russia. However, this will not affect Russian chess players participating in tournaments, according to the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

Russia was temporarily suspended because the federation had contacts with persons under sanctions, organized chess tournaments in the occupied territories of Ukraine, and did not observe political neutrality.

According to the decision of the FIDE Commission, the membership of the Chess Federation of Russia will last for 2 years but may be reviewed if the organization completely changes its leadership and ceases its activities in the occupied territories of Ukraine within the next two months.

From now on, the Chess Federation of Russia has no right to participate in events organized by FIDE, but this does not affect players, coaches, referees, and clubs representing the Chess Federation of Russia.

The FIDE Ethics Commission also reprimanded the president of its organization, Arkady Dvorkovich.