The Chess Federation of Russia has commented the indignation of the European chess union (ECU) regarding FIDE Council’s decision to approve the participation of a team of athletes of Russian nationality in the 2025 Women’s World Team Championship under the FIDE flag. This opinion was expressed for TASS by the Executive Director of the Chess Federation of Russia CFR Alexander Tkachev. “This is the expected reaction of our enemies. I would be surprised if it was different,” said Tkachev and continued, “All this only confirms the correctness of our transition to the Asian Chess Federation ACF. [ed.note: Russian Chess Federation joins Asian Chess Federation / ECU statement on the Russian Chess Federation joining the Asian Chess Federation ] There are no such questions, and the principle of sport outside politics is observed. Unlike the European colleagues. I am sure that this is the opinion of a minority – specifically European functionaries, and not athletes who at tournaments in the individual standings calmly play with the Russians.“
Timeline
Aug 21, 2024 Kyrgyzstan Chess Federation submits resolution to restore the full membership rights of RCF
Sept 12 Malcolm Pein for BBC, “Russia’s control of FIDE is absolute”
Sept 16 Vasyl Ivanchuk and the Olympic teams of Ukraine protest against Kyrgyz motion
Sept 17 FIDE Congress – national federations at risk of losing government funding
Sept 19 FIDE Council rejects Russian / Kyrgyz proposal
Sept 22 Russian / Kyrgyz proposal rejected by the FIDE General Assembly
July 21, 2025 FIDE Council approves a Russian team for the 2025 Women’s World Team Championship
July 23, 2025 ECU Statement on the FIDE Council decisions
July 23, 2025 Chess Federation of Russia, “Expected reaction of our enemies”
Article by TASS
