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Putin congratulates Bodnaruk with win at 2023 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz championship

The silver medal went to China’s Lei Tingjie

MOSCOW, December 29. /TASS/. Russian President Vladimir Putin has congratulated Anastasiya Bodnaruk with winning the rapid competition of the 2023 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championship, held this month in Uzbekistan’s second-largest city, Samarkand, the Kremlin’s official website reported on Friday.

On Thursday, the Russian outplayed in the final her opponent from India, Humpy Koneru, on a tie-break. The silver medal went to China’s Lei Tingjie.

"You have honorably continued the distinguished traditions of the national school of women's chess, demonstrated superior skills, endurance and a true sports character in confrontation with strong, distinguished rivals, and deservedly became the winner of the most prestigious international competition," the statement from the Kremlin quoted Putin as saying.

The 2023 FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championship is hosted by Uzbekistan’s second-largest city, Samarkand, on December 26-30 and offers $1 million in prize money.

Russian sport of chess under sanctions

On February 28, 2022 the International Olympic Committee (IOC) issued recommendations to international sports federations to bar athletes from Russia and Belarus from taking part in international tournaments because of the special military operation in Ukraine.

Following the IOC’s recommendations in late February last year, the majority of global sports federations decided to bar athletes from Russia and Belarus from all international sports tournaments.

On March 16, 2022 the FIDE barred athletes from Russia and Belarus from participating in international tournaments. The organization, however, allowed representatives of these countries to play individually under the flag and logo of FIDE.

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