The second FIDE Council Meeting of 2025 took place on July 18, alongside the ongoing FIDE Women’s World Cup. Held in an online format, the meeting addressed a range of important topics, including development projects, budget matters, the FIDE calendar, fair-play measures, and the approval of 10 new Grandmaster titles
One of the decisions by the FIDE Council was to approve the participation of a team of athletes of Russian nationality in the 2025 Women’s World Team Championship under the FIDE flag. See the full press release below. This news comes in light of the decisions made during the Chess Olympiad 2024 in Budapest. There the Kyrgyzstan Chess Federation proposal to restore the full rights of the Russian and Belarus Chess Federations was rejected by the FIDE Council and rejected by FIDE General Assembly
The European Chess Union published a statement regarding the decisions of the FIDE Council meeting. See the full statement below
ECU Statement on the FIDE Council decisions
The European Chess Union (ECU) has reviewed the decision made at the Online FIDE Council Meeting held on July 18, 2025, regarding the participation of Russian National Team in the 2025 Women’s World Team Championship.
We note that this decision directly contradicts the most recent decisions of the FIDE General Assembly taken in Budapest, where two motions for lifting the sanctions against the Russian Chess Federation were rejected by a high majority by FIDE member nations.
Additionally, this matter was not originally on the FIDE Council agenda and came to light only after it was mentioned in Russian state media.
FIDE’s stated policy is to follow IOC guidance and this Council decision aligns with a policy adopted by a tiny minority of other international sports federations. The ECU maintains its firm position that sanctions against Russian teams’ participation should remain in place until the circumstances that necessitated these measures are fully resolved.
As the governing body representing 54 European chess federations, the ECU has a responsibility to uphold the values of fair play, integrity, and solidarity that define our sport. We believe that lifting these restrictions, even by giving Russian teams neutral status, sends an inconsistent message regarding the international chess community’s commitment to these principles.
The ECU will continue to monitor this situation closely and reserves the right to take appropriate measures within our jurisdiction to ensure that European chess competitions maintain the highest standards of ethical conduct and international solidarity.
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
