The Russian chess team will remain banned from international tournaments, government officials have decided.
In a dramatic move, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) General Assembly in Budapest voted to maintain sanctions against Russia and its ally, Belarus.
Both countries were expelled from the federation after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
Supporters of the measure argue that chess in Russia is controlled by Vladimir Putin, and that people like Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov are at the helm of the national chess game.
A majority of delegates in Budapest voted in favour of a motion to consult with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on the possibility of lifting some restrictions for children and vulnerable groups.
However, bans on the Russian national team, officials, the flag and the anthem at international competitions remain in place.
The final decision now rests with the federation’s strategic body, the Fide Council, which is unlikely to overturn the vote.
Malcolm Pein, head of the English Chess Federation, told the BBC the result was a “crushing defeat” for Russia.
“There is no doubt that many delegates feared the consequences for the governing body’s relationship with the IOC if there was a deviation from the policy,” he said.
‘Victory for Ukraine’
Sixty-six countries supported the motion, while 41 countries opted for a third option: that all restrictions should remain in place.
Only 21 countries voted to lift sanctions, including Russia and Belarus, several former Soviet republics and other Russian allies in Africa and Asia.
The long-awaited result was seen as a test of Western resolve to keep up pressure on Russia on cultural, sporting and diplomatic fronts.
Before the vote began, Ukraine called on deputies to reject the proposal to lift sanctions.
“It’s a victory for Ukraine,” Viktor Kapustin of the Ukrainian Chess Federation told the BBC.
“This vote means that Russia does not have enough support, while they thought they had it,” he added.
“Russia is an aggressor and an invader, and the aggressor must be punished in all areas of his life, including sports. It is important to maintain sanctions, or even strengthen them. That they recognize their crimes.”
Russia said politics should be left out of the chess game and urged other lawmakers to vote to lift all sanctions.
Kiev was supported by England, Scotland, Wales, the US, France and many other Western countries. The IOC, of which Fide is a member, had also recommended that the organisation abide by an earlier decision by the Olympic body that sanctions against Russia in sport would remain in place.
After the large-scale invasion of Moscow in 2022, Fide voted to ban the Russian national team and officials from matches.
In a separate move, a Fide commission last June imposed sanctions on the Russian Chess Federation (CFR), banning the organization for two years for “bringing chess into disrepute” and violating the international organization’s principles.
It ruled that the Russian Federation had organized tournaments in areas of Ukraine illegally occupied by Russian troops. It also reprimanded the Russian president of FIDE for his membership of the CFR board.
Earlier this month, the ban was reduced to a €45,000 (£37,700) fine and the reprimand was withdrawn, a move criticised by Ukraine and its allies.
Former defense minister Sergei Shoigu and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, both of whom are under international sanctions, are also board members of the CFR.
