Sept 23, V7N - The FIDE General Assembly upheld a ban on Russian and Belarusian players, imposed after Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, while considering a possible easing of restrictions for junior and disabled players. The decision followed a proposal from Kyrgyzstan to fully reinstate the two nations, which faced opposition from figures such as Magnus Carlsen, the Ukrainian government, and the U.S. State Department.

Delegates from 66 countries voted in favor of a compromise, allowing FIDE to consult the International Olympic Committee (IOC) about letting some players from Russia and Belarus, particularly disabled and under-12 players, compete in international events. FIDE Deputy President and former world champion Viswanathan Anand emphasized that the decision was about inclusivity while adhering to international norms.

The FIDE Council, led by its president and former Russian deputy prime minister Arkady Dvorkovich, has attempted to navigate between pressures from both the West and Russia. Russian players, like world championship runner-up Ian Nepomniachtchi, are permitted to compete under a neutral flag, following the IOC's policy.

Some voices within the chess community, such as Carlsen’s former coach Pieter Heine Nielsen, criticized FIDE for not addressing Russia’s hosting of chess events in occupied Ukrainian territories. Meanwhile, the FIDE General Assembly took place alongside the 45th Chess Olympiad in Budapest, where India’s teams, led by Gukesh Dommaraju, claimed gold in both the open and women's sections.

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