Russia to compete in Asian Chess Federation competitions

The Chess Federation of Russia (CFR) has declared that it will participate in Asian Chess Federation (ACF) competitions while flying the Russian flag and singing the national anthem. This provides that the event does not count as a World Championship qualifier. With 29 voting in favor, one voting against, and six abstaining, the proposal was formally approved in the ACF General Assembly last month. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has prohibited Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing in international competitions, which prompted the CFR to decide to join the ACF. While the majority of Russian sports have chosen not to change their allegiance from Europe to Asia, the CFR’s shift to the ACF allows them to participate under their national flag and anthem, which they are unable to do in FIDE-authorized sports.

What the Executive Director of RCF, Alexander Tkachyov, Had to say

The World Chess Federation (FIDE), which is governed by a Russian, Arkady Dvorkovich, does not prohibit Russian athletes from competing under their national flag in the game of chess, according to Alexander Tkachyov. Tkachyov is the executive director of the RCF. However, he agreed that FIDE should not disregard the IOC’s recommendations. “We will not be allowed to participate in FIDE-authorized tournaments under the national flag. However, there is no such ban in the Asian Chess Federation,” Tkachyov said. “If the Asian Championships is not a qualifier for the world championship, we will perform under the flag and with the anthem,” he added.

Tkachyov added that the CFR’s participation in the ACF may help Russia host chess competitions in the future. “Throughout the existence of the European Chess Union, there has been only one European-level tournament held here,” he said. “We know how to hold them, we simply were not allowed to do it. There was not a single Russian representative on the board, but that is not the case now. I am sure it will be different in the ACF. It is possible that ACF-authorized tournaments will take place in Russia this year.”

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More facts about RCF joining the ACF

Papua New Guinea was the only country to vote against the RCF joining the ACF at the General Assembly, with Mongolia, Taiwan, Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia, and Bhutan abstaining. “No matter how much you want to mix sports and politics, but the decision of 29 countries against the rest is the decision of the political leadership of the countries who took part in the voting,” Tkachyov said.

FIDE prohibited competitors from Russia and Belarus from competing in international competitions starting in March 2022. However, it permitted individuals from these nations to compete under the flag and badge of FIDE. The decision was made by the organization after the IOC advised international sports federations to prevent athletes from Russia and Belarus from competing in international competitions as a result of a special military operation in Ukraine. The majority of international sports federations implemented the IOC’s guidelines and disallowed Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing in any competitions held abroad.

The Chess Federation of Russia’s transition to the ACF might have a big impact on Russian chess competitions in the future, as well as the chess game as a whole. The Chess Federation of Russia’s decision to join the ACF enables Russian and Belarusian competitors to compete under the colours and national anthem of their respective countries, potentially flouting the IOC’s ban on their participation in international competitions. It remains to be seen how other international sports federations will respond to this development and whether it will influence future decisions on the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes in international competitions.

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