The Russian Chess Federation (RCF) has been expelled from the International Chess Federation (FIDE) for two years, FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich told Match TV. As DW notes, this decision is due to the fact that the RCF has included chess clubs from the occupied Ukrainian territories.
Dvorkovich said that he himself was reprimanded for participating in the RCF board of trustees. He added that the Russian side intends to appeal this decision.
Last summer, the Ukrainian Chess Federation recommended that members of the national team not shake hands with representatives of Russia and Belarus at international competitions. Ukrainian chess players were also advised not to take photos or communicate with Russians and Belarusians, and to «refrain from actions that could harm the image of Ukraine.»