**Russian Chess Teams Barred from 2026 Olympiad Amid Controversy**
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has decided to exclude Russian teams from the upcoming 46th Chess Olympiad, which is set to take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from September 16 to 27. This ruling has sparked significant backlash from prominent figures within the Russian chess community, who have accused FIDE's leadership of politicizing the sport and making decisions they deem "Russophobic."
FIDE initially suspended the Russian and Belarusian national teams from its competitions in 2022 due to geopolitical tensions, allowing individual players from both countries to compete under a neutral flag. Recently, however, FIDE lifted the ban on Belarusian athletes, further intensifying criticism of its treatment of Russian players.
On Sunday, the FIDE Council reaffirmed its stance, ruling that Russian teams would not be permitted to participate in the Olympiad. This decision marks the third consecutive over-the-board Olympiad from which Russia will be absent, following their exclusion from events held in Chennai in 2022 and Budapest in 2024.
Aleksandr Tkachev, the head of the Russian Chess Federation, expressed his discontent with the ruling, stating that it contradicts FIDE's motto of unity, "We are one family." He accused Council members of prioritizing personal interests over the integrity of chess. "There are people who prioritize the game over politics and don’t worry about their own careers," Tkachev remarked, suggesting that the current Council is dominated by those who place their personal agendas above the sport.
Anatoly Karpov, a legendary figure in chess and the 12th world champion, echoed Tkachev's sentiments, going so far as to label the decisions made by FIDE's leadership as Russophobic. "There is only one explanation for this decision – the FIDE leadership has gotten out of control," Karpov stated. He expressed hope for a change in leadership following the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for September 26-27, coinciding with the conclusion of the Olympiad.
The recent decision has been linked to the new acting FIDE President Viswanathan Anand, who took over from Arkady Dvorkovich, the previous president who stepped down after being sanctioned by the European Union. Former FIDE president Kirsan Ilyumzhinov also criticized the ruling, stating he felt "ashamed" and emphasizing that sports should transcend political issues.
Despite the ban on team participation, Russian players continue to perform well in international competitions. Recently, they secured four medals—one gold, two silvers, and one bronze—at the Asian rapid and blitz championships held in Hong Kong.
The ongoing restrictions on Russian athletes have drawn criticism from Russian officials, including President Vladimir Putin, who has condemned the measures as politically motivated. Putin has pointed out that similar restrictions have not been applied to athletes from other nations involved in armed conflicts.
As the chess community awaits the upcoming elections and potential shifts in FIDE's policies, the exclusion of Russian teams from the Olympiad remains a contentious issue, highlighting the intersection of sports and politics in the current global landscape.