The English Chess Federation (ECF) agrees with FIDE Council’s recently announced decision that the 44th Chess Olympiad, including the competition for players with disabilities, as well as the FIDE Congress, will not take place in Russia (https://www.fide.com/news/1598). The ECF wishes FIDE well in its attempts to find another organizer for the Olympiad.
The ECF would like to add that:
- In its view FIDE should hold no further events in Russia until Russia has fully withdrawn from Ukrainian sovereign territory and ends hostilities against the Ukrainian people.
- It will not send teams, players or officials to any chess events held in Russia until Russia has fully withdrawn from Ukrainian sovereign territory and ends hostilities against the Ukrainian people.
- In its view FIDE should terminate all agreements with Russian sponsors with immediate effect.
Mike Truran, Chief Executive ECF | Malcolm Pein, FIDE Delegate and International Director ECF