Overview
- Dmitry Oleynikov, the Federation of Chess of Russia delegate, says he will request the men’s team be readmitted and that Russia’s flag and anthem be restored.
- He cites Article 4.4 of FIDE’s statutes prohibiting discrimination, casting the decision as a measure of the federation’s political independence.
- The online congress on December 14 will feature discussion followed by a closed, absentee ballot that Oleynikov contends could reduce external pressure on delegates.
- FIDE has already phased in limited Russian participation in 2025, allowing youth and paralympic teams under neutral status and the women’s team under the FIDE flag, which later won the world team title in Spain.
- In a parallel development, FIS says a small number of Russian skiers could race at the Davos World Cup under neutral status after a CAS ruling, with eligibility checks screening for voluntary military ties.