FIDE Removes and Reinstates Russian Grandmaster Karjakin: A Timeline of Events

FIDE's Latest Rating List Update

According to Главком: The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has published its updated rating list, which notably excludes and then reinstates Russian grandmaster Sergey Karjakin. His removal was a direct consequence of his political and civic stances, particularly his public support for the annexation of Crimea. After an absence of several years, Karjakin re-entered the rankings on February 28, 2024, securing the 10th position with a rating of 2750. His peak rating of 2788 was achieved back in July 2011.

Political Context and Career Impact

Born in Simferopol, Sergey Karjakin began his career competing under the Ukrainian flag. He obtained Russian Federation citizenship in 2009 and later voiced his support for the annexation of Crimea in 2014. In 2024, the chess player received a mandate to serve in the Federation Council of the Russian Federation. This situation highlights how geopolitical conflicts increasingly intersect with international sports governance.

In a related development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy canceled state stipends for a number of prominent athletes, including former pole vaulter Sergey Bubka. This decision forms part of a broader policy aimed at upholding national interests and increasing the accountability of athletes for their public actions.

The exclusion of Sergey Karjakin from the FIDE rating list and his subsequent return underscores the complex political circumstances in which some athletes find themselves, particularly those who have supported the annexation of Crimea. It also reflects the wider challenges faced by international sports bodies in responding to the political actions of their members.

The revocation of state stipends for celebrated athletes like Sergey Bubka indicates a growing focus on the moral and ethical dimensions of athletes' conduct within the context of Ukraine's national interests.