The second day of the FIDE General Assembly is ongoing in Budapest, Hungary, with important item on the Agenda – Kyrgyz/Russian proposal to lift sanctions against Russia and Belarus players.
The Delegates will discuss about the item and then vote, as the FIDE Council proposed. Chess Topics LIVE BLOG with decisions from the FIDE General Assembly can be followed below the video or through our Twitter/X account.
FIDE General Assembly Day 2 โ live broadcast (Decisions and Blog below the video)
16:05: Reports of the Continental Associations are approved without reading. Final item on the agenda are FIDE Awards.
16:05: General Assembly voted to approve the proposed amendments to the Charter and Ethics and Disciplinary Code. Four objections.
16:00: ECU Secretary General Theodoros Tsorbatzoglou argues that political bodies like FIDE Council and FIDE General Assembly should not be the secondary instance for decisions of the Ethics and Disciplinary Commission.
15:50: Chairman of the Constitutional Commission Roberto Rivello reports on the Administrative matters related to the Ethics and Disciplinary Commissionโs competences.
15:15: Council decided to form the Committee to investigate the claims of the Kosovo* and Serbia Chess Federations. The decision is delayed until the Committee reports back. Council proposes there should be no voting today.
Malcolm Pein said FIDE should follow IOC practice and remove *
President Arkady Dvorkovich said the * helps participation of Kosovo Chess Federation in the countries that do not recognize Kosovo. For example Chess Olympiad 2022 in India.
Serbia Chess Federation says UN and EU still keep the * in their official correspondence. SCF nominates Malcolm Pein and Erald Dervishi for the Council Investigation Committee.
Geoffrey Borg from Malta says this is not an item for the General Assembly. He believes Ethics Commission should investigate this matter and FIDE Council should take the decision.
Georgios Makropoulos speaking as delegate of Greece says this is a political matter and he supported the speech of Geoffrey Borg, saying this is the matter for the FIDE Council. He supported SCF proposal to include Malcolm Pein and Erald Dervishi in the Council Investigation Committee.
General Assembly approved the proposal of the Council to form the Committee.
15:10: Official results announced by FIDE:
14:00: Apparently, Sudan and Kazakhstan showed up 10 minutes after voting for Options on restrictions against Russia and Belarus, giving their votes for Option 1. In that case, the votes are:
Option 1: 64 votes
Option 2: 43 votes
Option 3: 19 votes
Abstained: 11
Absent: 58
13:40: Scrutineer reads the results for the members of the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission. 150 delegates voted and the results are: Khaled Arfa 103, David Hater 95 votes, Tie of 79 votes between Olga Baskakova and Ravindra Dongre, Alan Borda 78 votes, Ali Nihat Yazici 73 votes. These members are elected, not elected candidates are: Yanori Morera Campos 56 votes, Babur Tolbaev 58 votes.
13:00: Votes go as follows:
Avganistan – Absent
Albania – Option 1, we agree with FIDE Council Decision
Algeria – Option 3
Andorra – Absent
Angola – Absent
Antigua and Barbuda – Abstained
Argentina – Option 2
Armenia – Option 3
Aruba – Option 1
Australia – Option 2
Austria – Absent
Azerbaijan – Option 1
Bahamas – Option 1
Bahrain – Option 1
Bangladesh – Option 1
Barbados – Option 1
Belarus – Option 3
Belgium – Option 1
Belize – Absent
Bermuda – Option 1
Bhutan – Absent
Bolivia – Option 1
BIH – Absent
Botswana – Absent
Brazil – Option 1
British Virgin Island – Option 1
Brunei – Absent
Bulgaria – Absent
Burundi – Option 1
Cambodia – Absent
Cameroon – Abstained
Canada – Option 2
Cape Verde – Option 1
Cayman Islands – Option 1
Central African Republic – Absent
Chad – Absent
Chile – Option 1
China – Option 1
Chinese Taipei – Absent
Colombia – Option 1
Comoros Islands – Absent
Costa Rica – Option 1
Cote D’Ivoire – Option 1
Croatia – Option 2
Cyprus – Option 1
Cuba – Option 3
Czech Republic – Option 2
Congo – Absent
Denmark – Absent
Djibouti – Option 3
Dominican republic – Option 1
Ecuador – Option 1
Egypt – Option 1
El Salvador – Option 1
England – Option 2
Equatorial Guiney – Option 2
Equatorial Guinea – Absent
Eritrea – Absent
Estonia – Option 2
Eswatini – Absent
Ethiopia – Option
Faroe Islands – Option 2
Fiji – Option 2
Finland – Option 2
France – Option 2
Gabon – Absent
Gambia – Absent
Georgia – Option 1
Germany – Option 2
Ghana – Absent
Greece – Option 1
Grenada – Option 1
Guam – Option 2
Guatemala – Option 1
Guernsey – Absent
Guyana – Abstain
Haiti – Option 3
Honduras – Absent
Hong Kong China -Absent
Hungary – Option 1
Iceland – Option 2
India – Option 1
Indonesia – Option 3
Iran – Option 3
Iraq – Option 3
Ireland – Option 2
Israel – Option 1
Italy – Option 2
Jamaica – Abstain
Japan – Option 2
Jersey – Option 2
Jordan – Option 1
Kazakhstan – Initially Absent, showed up 10 min after voting and voted for Option 1
Kenya – Absent
Kosovo – Option 2
Kuwait – Option 1
Kyrgyzstan – Option 3
Laos – Absent
Latvia – Option 2
Lebanon – Option 1
Lesotho – Abstain
Liberia – Abstain
Libya – Option 1
Liechtenstein – Absent
Lithuania – Option 2
Luxembourg – Option 2
Macao – Option 1
Madagascar – Abstain
Malawi – Abstain
Malaysia – Option 1
Maldives – Option 1
Mali – Option 3
Malta – Option 1
Mauritania – Option 2
Mauritius – Absent
Mexico – Absent
Moldova – Absent
Monaco – Option 2
Mongolia – Absent
Montenegro – Absent
Morocco – Option 1
Mozambique – Option 1
Myanmar – Abstain
Namibia – Absent
Nauru – Absent
Nepal – Absent
Netherlands – Option 2
The Dutch Antilles – Absent
New Zealand – Option 2
Nicaragua – Option 3
Niger – Absent
Nigeria – Absent
North Macedonia – Option 1
Norway – Option 2
Oman – Absent
Pakistan – Option 1
Palau – Option 1
Palestine – Option 1
Panama – Option 1
Papua New Guinea – Option 2
Paraguay – Absent
Peru – Option 1
Philippines – Absent
Poland – Option 2
Portugal – Option 1
Puerto Rico – Absent
Qatar – Option 1
Romania – Option 2
Russia – Option 3
Saint Kitts and Nevis – Abstain
Saint Lucia – Absent
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines – Option 1
San Marino – Absent
Sao Tome and Principe – Option 1
Saudi Arabia – Absent
Scotland – Option 2
Senegal – Absent
Serbia – Option 3
Seychelles – Absent
Sierra Leone – Absent
Singapore – Option 2
Slovakia – Option 2
Slovenia- Option 1
Solomon Islands – Absent
Somalia – Absent
South Africa – Option 1
South Korea – Option 2
South Sudan – Absent
Spain – Option 2
Sri Lanka – Absent
Sudan – Initially Absent, showed up 10 min after voting and voted for Option 1
Suriname – Option 1
Sweden – Option 2
Switzerland – Option 2
Syria – Option 1
Tajikistan – Option 2
Tanzania – Option 3
Thailand – Absent
Timor-Leste – Absent
Togo – Abstain
Tonga – Option 1
Trinidad & Tobago – Option 2
Tunisia- Option 3
Turkey – Option 1
Turkmenistan – Option 3
Uganda – Option 3
Ukraine – Option 2
United Arab Emirates – Option 3
USA – Option 2
Uruguay – Option 1
US Virgin Islands – Option 1
Uzbekistan- Absent
Vanuatu – Option 1
Wales – Option 2
Yemen – Absent
Zambia – Absent
Zimbabwe – Option 1
12:57: India Chess Federation’s delegate suggests that FIDE GA is not lifting or not lifting sanctions against Russia and Belarus: “We are suggesting FIDE Council to consult with IOC on lifting or not lifting sanctions”.
12:55: On the suggestion of delegates, option numbers shall be reversed. Option 1 should be to keep in force all current restrictions.
12:50: The Open voting starts with three options given by FIDE Council:
- Option 1 – Reevaluation of restrictions, allowing vulnerable groups such as chess players with the impairment and children U12 to participate in all FIDE events
- Option 2 – Keep in force all current restrictions
- Option 3 – Lifting all the restrictions
12:45: FIDE Vice President Georgios Makropoulos: “I am in favour of fact that sports should be used to strengthen the relation of people, friendship, solidarity and love for the peace. I agree with all those who said that we belong to IOC, Olympic movement which has strong recommendations and principles. We should follow the recommendations they are giving, and if we think they are wrong, we should convince them they are wrong”.
12:40: Kevin Pryor, the President of US Chess Federation: “We stand with Ukraine and we believe there shouldn’t be alleviation of sanctions”.
12:35: President of the Norwegian Chess Federation Anniken Vestby: “We go with what Malcolm Pein said. We shouldn’t lift restrictions until the war is over. Norway doesn’t allow any Russians and Belarusians in our tournaments. And as Magnus said, we should keep the restrictions”.
12:27: Delegate of the Malaysian Chess Federation: “Malaysia is always taking a position against sanctions. We have this belief that to resolve conflict you cannot disengage. I have strong belief in our independence as an organisation. I want to take the opportunity to applaud FIDE Council on their guidance. Chess should be a solution to conflict”.
12:20: Geoffrey Borg: “The ristrictions should not be lifted, because any other action affects strongly our relationship with IOC and ARISF (Association of IOC Recognised International Sports Federations). In our charter we say that we respect IOC Charter”.
12:15: Malcolm Pein (ECU Vice President and President of the English Chess Federation): “The most important point that we should recognize is the risk to this organisation in our relationship with IOC. I disagree with FIDE Council, since the IOC decision is unchanged. And nothing is changed, the war continues, why should we change our position”
“And yes I agree that politics shouldn’t be in chess. But if politics shouldn’t be in chess, Russian delegate, why is a former Defense minister and other politicians in the Board of the Russian Chess Federation”, adds Pein.
12:15: Mahir Mamedov from Azerbaijan Chess Federation: “I appeal to you not to take radical decisions, and think about FIDE’s ‘renome’. Don’t impose additional risks upon our organisation”.
12:10: Viswanathan Anand read the statement of FIDE Council which suggest partial reveal of sanctions, allowing vulnerable groups such as chess players with the impairment and children U12 to participate in all FIDE events. “We believe
12:00: Ukrainian Chess Federation delegate explains that their position was explained in letters sent to all chess federations. “I will briefly present short declaration of the Ukrainian Chess Federation. Our federation is categorically against lifting of any restrictions that were imposed on Russia and Belarus Chess Federations, that were made in 2022 in accordance with IOC. We believe that the memory of 34 Ukrainian chess players, coaches and officials, who were killed by the Russians, is a sufficient reason to keep restrictions. We suggest not to return to this question until IOC issues other recommendations on this matter.”
Regarding speeches from previous speakers: “It’s ridiculous to hear from Russian Chess authorities about human rights at time that Supervisory board of Russian Chess Federation is full of war criminals whose hands are in blood of Ukrainians“.
11:50: President of the Kyrgyz Chess Union Babur Tolbaev: “I hope and believe that we live in a free world. I wanted to raise this question up, and I would do it regardless of the countries affected. The question is do we have a right as General Assembly to include/exclude chess players around the world. FIDE Council and FIDE President report to the General Assembly. If we have right to decide, let’s decide ourselves”.
He adds that there are few reasons why Russian and Belarusian players should be without sanctions: “The first reason is because there shouldn’t be double standards – this is unethical. Second reason – FIDE must provide equal rights to all chess players in the world – Chess players should not suffer because of their governments. Third reason – Russia has done so much for chess and chess olympiads. Chess without Russia is like football without Spain, France, Brazil and Argentina. It’s not true competitive environment. Fourth reason – Russia was historically a big sponsor, so let them continue sponsor. And the last and fifth reason, two years ago in Chennai, 157 delegates supported Dvorkovich as a President of FIDE, 90% of delegates. Whatever you say he is a Russian citizen. Imagine you delegates, you are participating as a delegate and your team is not playing. Imagine now you are FIDE president, you represent one of the biggest organisations in the world, and your team is not playing.”
“Let’s do the right thing”, concludes Tolbaev and calls for secret voting.
11:45: Delegate of the Russian Chess Federation thanked for the opportunity to present the position of Chess Federation of Russia: “FIDE is a fully independent organisation based on the principle of equal rights of all its members. Over two years ago, FIDE Council adopted sanctions against chess players from Russia and Belarus, and this violates art. 4.4 of FIDE Charter. Chess should unite people and not divide them. Chess Federation of Russia asks FIDE General Assembly to make a right decision.”. He further explains that federations are concerned that if they vote for lifting sanctions against Russian players, they will support Russian politics: “but this is not the case”. He adds that chess should be out of politics.
Art 4.4 of FIDE Charter says: FIDE rejects any kind of discrimination against a country, private person or group of people on account of race, skin colour, ethnic, national or social origin, citizenship, birth, age, status, wealth, disability, language, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, sexual orientation, political opinions, or any other reason.
11:35: Viswanathan Anand calls Kyrgyz Chess Federation President, Delegate of the Russian Chess Federation, and the delegate of Ukrainian Chess Federation to tell their position about Kyrgyz/Russian proposal to lift sanctions against Russia and Belarus.
11:30: The Algerian Chess Federation expressed its opinion, favourable to the admission of this new Affiliated organisation, while the Moroccan Chess Federations expressed its full opposition to the admission of Sahrawi Chess Federation.
11:25: Sahrawi Chess Federation applied to become an Affiliated Organisation of FIDE. FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich says that after discussion at the FIDE Council, the proposal is not to consider this application: “In my personal opinion, this will open many doors of similar applications. We will have permanent conflicts between parties supporting and against the submission”
11:15: More than 45 federations didn’t vote on the first call. Roberto Rivello announces the last call for federations to vote and closes the elections.
10:33: The voting has started.
10:12: Candidates for members of the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission are introducing themselves before the Election process starts.
10:10: Gunnar Bjornsson, President of the Icelandic Chess Federation and ECU Vice President, was called to present the proposal of approving the Greenlandic Chess Federation as a FIDE member. The General Assembly approved the proposal by applause.In the meantime, Rivello prepares the election process.
10:05: Chairman of the FIDE Verification Commission was called to start the process of elections for members of the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission. Arkady Dvorkovich adds he will not disappear this time.
10:00: Proposal was approved by the General Assembly with applause.
9:55: Ilaha Kadimova, representing Azerbaijan Chess Federation, speaks about the proposal of creation and affiliation of Turkish language based countries. She explains that the founding members are the following countries: Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Turkey, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.
9:50: After short discussion by delegates, the proposal was approved by applause on the suggestion of FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, there was no formal voting process.
9:30: President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation and CEO of Freedom Holding Corp Timur Turlov is called to speak about his proposal to create World School Chess Federation. Turlov is sanctioned by Ukraine and his company has admitted to handling several sanctioned clients.
9:00; Day 2 session of the FIDE General Assembly starts with reading results of Elections for Members of FIDE Constitutional and Verification Commissions. The Scrutineer named wrong members because gender balance was not properly taken into account. Only men were announced as winner since the scrutineer thought one of the men was a woman. The results were corrected.