Kremlin says World Chess Federation ban on Russian players is result of Western pressure

FIDE, the governing body of chess, maintains ban on Russian and Belarusian players

MOSCOW, Russia – The Kremlin reported Monday, September 23, that the decision by the General Assembly of FIDE, the governing body of chess, to maintain a ban on Russian and Belarusian players was the result of Western and Ukrainian pressure.

The FIDE General Assembly on Sunday upheld a ban imposed after Russia sent its army to Ukraine in February 2022. Belarus allowed Russian troops to use its territory to enter Ukraine.

When asked about lifting the ban, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: “The West and Ukraine are openly and undisguisedly exerting pressure on countries within FIDE. This is not a secret, everyone knows about it.

“Unfortunately, FIDE is also not free from the politicization of sport and the chess world in particular,” Peskov said.

The Ukrainian government, the U.S. State Department and players including former world champion Magnus Carlsen and members of the Ukrainian Olympic team had called on chess federations to reject an initial motion by Russian ally Kyrgyzstan to fully restore the two countries.

However, FIDE agreed to tighten restrictions for Russian and Belarusian juniors and disabled players.

Peskov thanked Kyrgyzstan for submitting the motion and said the Russian Chess Federation would continue its efforts to have the ban lifted. – Rappler.com