FIDE Gala Dinner took place this evening celebrating the 100th anniversary of the International Chess Federation which was founded in Paris in 1924.
Magnus Carlsen received the Award for the greatest chess player in last 100 years and used this opportunity to support Ukraine: โI am sure Garry (Kasparov) would advise against reinstating Russian and Belarusian chess federations, so that is what I will do as well!โ.
“Thanks a lot. It feels kind of strange to be receiving this award while I am still an active player. Right now I am more concerned about Norway’s match against Vietnam. I am of course happy to get this award, but in my personal opinion, I still think that Garry Kasparov has had a better career than I have. I understand why I got this award, but I still think that he was more deserving. But I would say at least in Garry’s honour, I am sure he would take the opportunity to advise against reinstating the Russian and Belarusian chess federations, so that is what I will do as well. Thank you!“
Sensational – at the FIDE 100 gala dinner this evening @MagnusCarlsen accepts award for greatest player in last 100 years acknowledges @Kasparov63 had the better career. He then says: โ in Garryโs place Iโm sure he would say do not remove sanctions against Russia and Belarus โ
European Chess Union today published a strong statement, requesting FIDE General Assembly to keep sanctions against Russia and Belarus. Further on, ECU asks FIDE to demand Russian Chess Federation to cease any operations in Ukrainian territory. In case of non-compliance, ECU urges FIDE to suspend the Russian Chess Federation with the immediate effect.
While the Norwegian Chess Federation rejected the Kyrgyz Chess Federation proposal, the German Chess Federation published a press release, clearly stating that the German Chess Federation is against the return of the Russian and Belarusian chess players without restrictions. The President of the German Chess Federation Ingrid Lauterbach explained that the proposal is absurd: โI think it is absurd that this application was even made, and now I hope that common sense prevailsโ.
