The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has suspended Russia's membership, dealing a symbolic blow to a nation with a proud chess tradition, after a successful legal challenge by Ukraine.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled in March that the Russian Chess Federation had usurped control of the game in areas of Ukraine captured by Russian forces since 2022, giving Russia 90 days to relinquish control of chess bodies in five regions.

On Wednesday, FIDE, headed by former Russian Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich, said Russia had not complied, imposing a temporary suspension with immediate effect.

Russian adult players may still compete under the FIDE flag, not their own; only juniors can use the Russian flag. In team events, Russians may participate under a neutral flag, subject to further FIDE decisions.

Andrei Filatov, head of the Russian Chess Federation, said lawyers are reviewing the decision and may challenge it. The Ukrainian chess federation hailed it as a "historic victory."

The suspension reverses a trend of sports readmitting Russian competitors after sanctions over doping and the war in Ukraine. Russia's chess dominance, once unchallenged, has waned in recent years.

Source: www.aljazeera.com