MOSCOW, June 1. /TASS/. The Chess Federation of Russia (CFR) has submitted a request with the Ethics Commission of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) to open a disciplinary probe against President of the Ukrainian Chess Federation (USHF) Alexander Kamyshin and suspend him from all chess-related activities indefinitely, according to a document obtained by a TASS correspondent on Monday.
According to the CFR’s statement, Kamyshin has in numerous interviews, public statements and messages posted on his social media accounts, called for continued military strikes on Russian cities and advocated military actions that would lead to the deaths of Russian nationals.
"The CFR assumes that Kamyshin directly supports and advocates military actions and strikes leading to the death of Russian citizens," the statement reads. "Having said that, the CFR is of the opinion that Kamyshin has breached FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Code [the "FIDE Code"] and therefore lodges the present Complaint."
"It is undisputable that the conduct and vocal support of ‘killing Russians’ (if one does not say ‘genocide’) from the side of Mr. Kamyshin had personally and directly affected the CFR as the Member Federation governing Russian chess and encompassing Russian people which are involved into chess," the statement continued.
"As set out, the conduct of Kamyshin affects interests of CFR and international chess community as a whole," the CFR pointed out.
"As to application to the above to Kamyshin, CFR is of the firmest opinion that his direct support and ‘happiness’ of military actions leading to death of Russian citizens, which are the core of the chess players under CFR’s jurisdiction…, as well as references to weapons used to do so attracting chess symbols breach at least part, if not all, the [provisions] of FIDE Charter and regulations and are absolutely incompatible with holding the office of the leader of a member federation," the statement summed-up.
"Having said that, the CFR is of the opinion that Mr. Kamyshin has breached FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Code (the "FIDE Code") and therefore lodges the present Complaint," according to the statement.
"As to application to the above to Mr. Kamyshin, CFR is of the firmest opinion that his direct support and ‘happiness’ of military actions leading to death of Russian citizens, which are the core of the chess players under CFR’s jurisdiction, as well as… references to weapons used to do so attracting chess symbols breach at least part, if not all, the above provisions of FIDE Charter and regulations and are absolutely incompatible with holding the office of the leader of a Member Federation," the statement from Russia’s CFR added,
FIDE’s sanctions against Russia
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.
In July, 2025, FIDE allowed the Russian women's national team to participate in the World Team Championship under the FIDE banner while the European Chess Union (ECU) opposed this decision. The Russian team eventually won the tournament.
On December 14, 2025, FIDE ruled that "youth athletes with a Russian or Belarusian passport should no longer be restricted in their access to international youth competitions, in both individual and team sports… In addition, the standard protocols of the IF [International Federations] or the International Sports Event Organizer regarding flags, anthems, uniforms and other elements should apply, provided that the national sports organization concerned is in good standing."