St. PETERSBURG, Aug 30, Dmitry Edigarev. Twelfth world champion and vice-president of the Russian Chess Federation (RCF) Anatoly Karpov said that if he were grandmaster Nikita Vitiugov, he would not change his sports citizenship.
Earlier it became known that Vitiugov will represent England at international competitions. Vitiugov is ranked 25th in the International Chess Federation (FIDE) rating, he has become the highest-rated Russian chess player who has changed sports citizenship.
“Nikita Vitiugov is a good chess player who decided to change his citizenship, although he has good results. If he wants to become a world champion, then everything depends on him. It’s his business, but I would try to play for Russia,” said Karpov.
Vitiugov is 36 years old, he is a two-time winner of the World Team Championship as part of the Russian team (2010, 2013).