Russian grandmaster Sergey Karjakin has been banned from competitions for six months because of his support for the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) reported on Monday (21).
Karjakin, 32, who challenged Magnus Carlsen for the world title in 2016, has defended his country’s actions on social media in recent weeks, drawing intense criticism from the chess world.
“Sergey Karjakin is found guilty of violating Article 2.2.10 of the Fide Code of Ethics and is sanctioned with a six-month worldwide ban from participating as a player in any Fide-rated chess competition, effective from the date of this decision. 21 March 2022,” the governing body said in a statement.
“Sergey Karjakin’s statements about the ongoing military conflict in Ukraine have led to a considerable number of reactions on social media and elsewhere, largely negative towards the views expressed.”
Karjakin, who was born in Crimea and represented Ukraine until 2009, said: “An expected decision, but no less shameful for Fide. All sports teams have been trampled on, the basic principle that sport is out of politics has been trampled on.”
The ban puts Karjakin’s participation in the Candidates Tournament, which starts on June 16, in doubt. He can appeal the decision within 21 days.
“I made the toughest selection at the World Cup in the Candidates Tournament. Winning that would put me in a world championship match. Unfortunately, Fide was embarrassed, not me”, added Karjakin on Telegram.
“And most importantly, firstly, I am a patriot of my country and only secondly, I am an athlete. If I thought about the situation in which I supported the president of Russia, the people and the army, I would have done the same. I do not regret anything.”
Another Russian grandmaster, Sergei Shipov, was not sanctioned for his pro-Russia comments because Fide decided they were of “slightly different character and less provocative than those made by Karjakin”.
Fide previously withdrew the hosts of the Chess Olympiad and Fide Congress later this year and banned Russian and Belarusian players from competing in tournaments under their respective flags.
Belarus has been a key area for Russian troops.
Source: CNN Brasil
I’m James Harper, a highly experienced and accomplished news writer for World Stock Market. I have been writing in the Politics section of the website for over five years, providing readers with up-to-date and insightful information about current events in politics. My work is widely read and respected by many industry professionals as well as laymen.
