Russia seeks chess control at Fide assembly in Hungary

The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has extended into the realm of chess, particularly following Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In response to the invasion, the International Chess Federation (Fide) imposed a ban on the Russian national team and officials, a significant setback for a nation historically dominant in the sport. The Kremlin is now attempting to regain its influence within Fide, with a crucial vote at the upcoming General Assembly in Hungary that could potentially lift these sanctions. Malcolm Pein from the English Chess Federation has expressed concerns about Russia's overwhelming control over Fide, likening it to a 'power vertical' reminiscent of Soviet times. He, along with other officials, is advocating for the International Olympic Committee to apply pressure on Fide to uphold the sanctions against Russia. The German Chess Federation's Ingrid Lauterbach highlighted the vulnerability of many federations in Africa and Asia to Russian influence, raising alarms about the potential for biased voting. In June, Fide had already sanctioned the Russian Chess Federation for actions deemed to bring chess into disrepute, including organizing tournaments in occupied Ukrainian territories. Arkady Dvorkovich, the president of Fide, indicated that there was internal disagreement regarding the ban, suggesting an appeal was forthcoming. The upcoming vote will address the exclusion of the Russian national team and its symbols from international events, a matter that has drawn sharp criticism from Ukrainian officials. The implications of reinstating Russia could be significant, as it may serve as a propaganda victory for the Kremlin amidst ongoing military actions in Ukraine. The situation remains tense, with calls for maintaining sanctions against Russia growing louder as the chess community grapples with the intersection of sport and geopolitics.