FIDE Eases Ban On Russian, Belarusian Youth & Disabled Teams

Russian and Belarusian teams will again be allowed to compete in youth and disabled team events, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) announced today.

The world governing chess body said in its statement on Friday that they will allow Russian and Belarusian children up to 18 years to take part as neutral athletes in youth team competitions and events for players with disabilities. Previously, only individuals could compete as neutrals, not teams. FIDE noted that existing restrictions regarding national symbols (such as flags) in individual events will remain in place. 

The decision comes as a result of delegates at the FIDE General Assembly in September voting in favor of keeping Russian and Belarusian teams banned but agreed in a last-minute proposal by FIDE's Deputy President GM Viswanathan Anand to reconsider sanctions for "vulnerable groups" in consultation with the International Olympic Committee (IOC). In the initial proposal presented at the General Assembly, these vulnerable groups included children under 12 years and players with disabilities. 

The response from the IOC has now been received, FIDE said, quoting from the answer: "It is up to each International Federation to consider the appropriate implementation of the IOC Executive Board recommendations on the participation of AIN [Individual Neutral Athletes] athletes in the events they govern."

FIDE said IOC confirmed its respect for FIDE’s actions and noted that the proposal was "not contrary to these recommendations [by the IOC]," according to the statement.

Anand said: “This decision echoes FIDE’s commitment to balancing inclusivity with responsibility. We discussed this carefully, checked with the IOC, received their clear guidance and support, and ensured our approach respects both humanitarian considerations and the principles of international sport.”

We discussed this carefully, checked with the IOC, received their clear guidance and support, and ensured our approach respects both humanitarian considerations and the principles of international sport.

—Viswanathan Anand, FIDE Deputy President.

The Russian Chess Federation (CFR) has already celebrated the decision. Vice President Sergey Smagin told the state-controlled news agency Tass: "Finally it happened, we waited for this moment for two years. This is good news, the guys will be able to get practice playing for the national team. This is only the first step, after which, I am sure, FIDE will restore all our other teams."

The easing of sanctions comes almost three years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Three weeks later, the FIDE Council banned Russia and Belarus from participation in official FIDE team tournaments, on March 16, 2022.

FIDE's Ethics & Disciplinary Commitee last year imposed a conditional ban on Russia due to the invasion and continued aggression in Ukraine, but the CFR succesfully appealed on most charges. However, FIDE upheld a €45,000 fine for recognition of the occupied Ukrainian territories of Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia as part of the Russian Chess Federation's territory.