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Row erupts as chess body questions Russia team

Published On: July 24, 2025
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The International Chess Federation (FIDE) is facing backlash after its recent decision to allow a Russian team to compete in the upcoming 2025 Women’s World Team Championship.

FIDE’s Green Light for Russian Team

FIDE announced its approval for a “team of athletes of Russian nationality” to participate in the prestigious 2025 Women’s World Team Championship. This controversial decision was made virtually during the second FIDE Council Meeting of 2025 on July 18.

Under the new rules, the Russian team will compete under the FIDE flag, meaning no national symbols will be displayed. FIDE stated this move aligns with their policy of following International Olympic Committee (IOC) guidance.

They also cited practices adopted by other international sports federations like World Aquatics, the International Fencing Federation, and the International Gymnastics Federation. FIDE mentioned this decision builds on a precedent set in January 2025, which allowed neutral teams from “vulnerable groups” such as youth and players with disabilities to compete.

European Chess Union Voices Strong Opposition

However, this decision has not been met with universal approval. The European Chess Union (ECU) has publicly condemned FIDE’s policy change, releasing a strong statement on Wednesday.

The ECU highlighted that this decision directly contradicts outcomes from the recent FIDE General Assembly in Budapest. At that assembly, motions to lift sanctions against the Russian Chess Federation were overwhelmingly rejected by member nations.

Contradictions and Concerns Raised

Adding to the ECU’s concerns, they noted that the matter of allowing the Russian team was not originally on the FIDE Council agenda. It only came to light after being reported in Russian state media, raising questions about transparency.

The ECU further argued that while FIDE claims to follow IOC guidance, this specific decision aligns with only a “tiny minority” of other international sports federations. The European body firmly maintains its position that sanctions against Russian teams should remain in place.

They believe these measures should only be lifted once the circumstances that necessitated them are “fully resolved.”

Looking Ahead to the Championship

The 2025 Women’s World Team Championship is scheduled to take place in November in Linares, Spain. The controversy casts a shadow over the preparations for this significant event in the chess calendar.

Key Points of the Controversy

  • FIDE approved a Russian team for the 2025 Women’s World Team Championship.
  • The team will play under the FIDE flag without national symbols.
  • The European Chess Union strongly opposes, citing a contradiction with prior FIDE General Assembly decisions.
  • Concerns were raised about the decision not being on the original FIDE Council agenda.

In other news from the same FIDE Council meeting, ten new Grandmasters were approved. Among them was 21-year-old Bibisara Assaubayeva of Kazakhstan, who became only the 43rd female player in history to achieve the Grandmaster title, a notable highlight amidst the contentious discussions.

Atish Ranjan

Atish Ranjan is a sports commentator and editor with over a decade of experience following and analyzing global sports culture. He has contributed to regional news platforms and fan-led commentary spaces, offering deep takes on performance, psychology, and momentum in competitive arenas. A former college-level athlete, Atish brings a player’s instinct and a strategist’s clarity to every piece. His stories are grounded in real dynamics — not just headlines. Find him on LinkedIn.

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