FIDE voted in favor of maintaining restrictions for chess players from Russia and Belarus

The FIDE General Assembly voted in favor of maintaining restrictions for Russian and Belarusian chess players. This is reported on September 22 in the Telegram-channel of the Russian Chess Federation (RCF).

It is specified that before the vote the FIDE Council recommended the General Assembly not to completely remove restrictions from Russian and Belarusian chess players, but to allow children under 12 years old and athletes with disabilities from Russia and Belarus to participate in team international competitions.

According to the voting data, 66 participants supported the proposal, 41 people voted in favor of keeping the restrictions, and 21 people were in favor of lifting the sanctions. In turn, 11 delegates abstained. In addition, 60 representatives did not participate in the General Assembly.

Earlier, on September 13, FIDE canceled the decision to temporarily exclude the Russian Chess Federation. The reason for the cancelation of the decision was the commission's clarification that there was no authority to suspend the FSR's membership in FIDE, in connection with which other sanctions should be applied.

On June 7, FIDE deprived the Russian Chess Federation of membership in the organization for two years. This decision was taken after the Ukrainian Chess Federation complained that new regions of the Russian Federation had been admitted to the FSHR.

The next day, the international federation issued a statement explaining that the two-year exclusion of the FSHR does not affect the rights of players, referees, coaches and clubs that are members of the Russian chess organization. Athletes from the Russian Federation will be able to participate in competitions.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called FIDE's decision against the FSHR unfair. He reminded that before this verdict Russia had "very constructive relations" with this international sports organization.

In turn, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on June 8 that FIDE, by deciding to temporarily suspend the FSHR's participation, had excluded itself from world chess.