Chess Fide Reinstates Russian Belarusian Teams Official Contests 2025 12 15
Reuters23 hrs
Chess Governing Body Reinstates Teams From Russia and Belarus
Should chess remain apolitical, or did FIDE make the wrong call in reinstating teams from the two nations?
Above: Russian grandmaster Ian Nepomniachtchi competes for the 2023 World Chess Championship under a FIDE flag in Astana, Kazakhstan on April 9, 2023. Image credit: AFP/Getty Images
The Spin
Pro-Russia narrative
Russia welcomes and appreciates this decision from FIDE that allows its chess players to compete in international tournaments. It is a right step in restoring the principle that sports should remain depoliticized.
Pro-Ukraine narrative
This was the wrong decision by FIDE, particularly as many high-ranking members of Russia's Chess Federation have close ties to the government and openly support its war of aggression against Ukraine.