In a move that has sparked debate, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) has agreed to consider lifting parts of a ban on Russian and Belarusian players imposed after the invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The decision was made at FIDE’s General Assembly in Budapest on Sunday.
The proposal to lift the ban, initially put forward by Kyrgyzstan, faced strong opposition from Ukraine, the U.S. State Department, and prominent chess figures like former world champion Magnus Carlsen. These stakeholders argued that allowing Russian and Belarusian players to return to international events would legitimize the ongoing conflict.
In the end, delegates from 66 countries supported a last-minute proposal by the FIDE Council to consult the International Olympic Committee (IOC) about the potential return of some Russian and Belarusian players. The proposed exceptions include players with disabilities and children under the age of 12.
FIDE’s deputy president and former world champion Viswanathan Anand emphasized the organization’s commitment to inclusivity while respecting the international framework. He stated that the decision to consult with the IOC reflects this dual priority.
The vote was not unanimous. Forty-one delegates opposed any easing of the ban, 21 supported a full lifting, and 27 abstained or were absent.
This decision comes amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has resulted in the deaths of over 500 Ukrainian athletes and coaches, including 21 chess players. In response, the Ukrainian ministers of sports and foreign affairs, along with the president of the Ukrainian chess federation, sent a letter to FIDE urging them not to relax the ban.
Meanwhile, Russian delegate Sergey Janovsky argued that chess should be kept separate from politics.
The FIDE General Assembly is being held alongside the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, the world’s largest chess team event. The FIDE Council, chaired by FIDE president and former Russian deputy prime minister Arkady Dvorkovich, will now be responsible for liaising with the IOC to determine the next steps in this complex situation.
