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International Chess Federation grants Russia, Belarus neutral status extension

"According to this decision, Russian and Belarusian players currently performing under the FIDE flag are permitted to continue playing under the FIDE Flag until January 1, 2026," the statement reads

MOSCOW, December 9. /TASS/. /TASS/. The International Chess Federation (FIDE) announced on Monday that it was extending for one year the right of players representing Russia and Belarus to participate in international tournaments under the world federation’s flag, FIDE’s press office said in a statement.

The current permission was set to expire on January 1, 2025.

"FIDE Council has approved the extension of FIDE Flag Representation for Russian and Belarusian players," the statement reads.

"According to this decision, Russian and Belarusian players currently performing under the FIDE flag are permitted to continue playing under the FIDE Flag until January 1, 2026," FIDE’s press office added.

On February 28, 2022, FIDE announced that chess players from Russia and Belarus would be allowed to participate in international competitions under a neutral status, adding, however, that the federation had barred both countries from hosting official chess competitions.

On March 16, 2022, the world governing body of chess barred teams representing Russia and Belarus from all international competition.

On June 7, 2024, the FIDE Ethics Commission ruled to suspend the membership of the Russian Chess Federation (RCF) with the global federation for the two-year period because the RCF included as its members chess associations from the country’s new territories.

On June 26, 2024, Russia’s governing chess body filed an appeal against the decision of the FIDE Ethics Commission and requested a complete overhaul of the Ethics Commission, as well as the return of the flag and anthem to Russian athletes.

On September 13, 2024, the Appeals Chamber of the FIA Ethics Commission overturned the body's earlier decision to revoke the RCF’s membership, upholding the appeal of the Russian Chess Federation.

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