European Chess Union Takes Massive Measure Against Russian Chess Federation Amidst Ukraine Crisis

The European ongoing crisis is making Russian players’ life more miserable with each passing day. Most of the international sports organizations have already suspended them from international events, including their beloved game of chess. Furthermore, the International Chess Federation FIDE has pulled out from all the events to be held in Russia.

FIDE has also ended all its sponsorship deals with Russian companies such as Gazprom, PhosAgro, and Nornickel. However, after the suspension of Russian Grand Masters by FIDE, the European Chess Union has now taken a firm decision on the Russian Chess Federation.

The entire Russian and Belarusian Chess Federation has received a ban

In the wake of the current European upheaval, the Board of the European Chess Union has suspended the entire chess federation of Russia and Belarus. The organization has taken this decision in solidarity with the other sporting organization towards world peace.

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However, the Russian Grand Masters can take part in the ECU events provided they change their federation or if they agree to represent the FIDE flag on the rating list.

Apart from the suspension, the ECU is also willing to assist the Ukrainian chess community in every way possible. For this, they have created a hashtag #supportUkraineChess and have already made certain offers as well.

Russian Grand Masters calls for peace

A couple of days back, 32 Grand Masters of Russia, including the Russian number one Ian Nepomniachtchi, wrote a letter to President Vladimir Putin calling for peace. In the letter, they said, “it is unbearably painful for us to see the catastrophe that is happening.?

Amongst the signatories were Grand Master Alexandra Kosteniuk, Daniil Dubov, Peter Svidler, Andrey Esipenko, Alexander Khalifman, Valentina Gunina, Alina Kashlinskaya, and Polina Shuvalova. In addition to all the suspensions, Russia has also lost the hosting rights for the prestigious 150-nation chess Olympiad.

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The situation in Europe has deeply affected not just the nations involved in the conflict but the entire world and the players are one suffering as the consequence.