Key facts
- Arkady Dvorkovich, president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), has suspended his duties.
- The European Union sanctioned Dvorkovich, citing his support for policies undermining Ukraine's sovereignty.
- Dvorkovich, a former Russian deputy prime minister, denies the accusations and calls the sanctions unlawful.
- FIDE Deputy President Viswanathan Anand will temporarily take over Dvorkovich's responsibilities.
- Dvorkovich's suspension will last as long as he remains under EU and Swiss sanctions.
Arkady Dvorkovich, president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) and former Russian deputy prime minister, has temporarily stepped aside from his duties following sanctions imposed by the European Union. The EU stated his inclusion was due to "publicly supporting the annexation of Crimea and calling occupied Ukrainian cities 'new territories' of the Russian Federation".
Dvorkovich has strongly refuted the allegations, calling the sanctions decision "unlawful and unfair" and stating they were meant "to prevent me from running and serving for Fide". Ukraine has hailed the move as "an important victory," with Volodymyr Kovalchuk, first vice president of the Ukrainian Chess Federation, stating that "People who develop sport in the interests of an aggressor state have no place in senior international positions." Malcolm Pein, England's representative to FIDE, described the move as "an earthquake and a massive diplomatic victory for Ukraine," suggesting it could significantly reduce Russia's influence in chess.
Dvorkovich was first elected FIDE President in 2018 and re-elected in 2022. He previously served as Russia's deputy prime minister from 2012 to 2018. Despite past criticism, FIDE Deputy President Viswanathan Anand, a former world champion, has previously stated that Dvorkovich "clearly demonstrated that he is independent of Kremlin influence." Russia has been accused of carrying out a "slow takeover" of the federation, which Moscow denies. Dvorkovich had intended to run for re-election in September, but his future is now uncertain.