World chess chief faces endgame after EU announces Russia war sanctions

Lead

The world of chess has been thrown into turmoil after the president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), Arkady Dvorkovich, said he was stepping aside because he was included on the European Union's latest sanctions list. Dvorkovich, 54, a former deputy prime minister of Russia and adviser to the Kremlin, now faces an EU travel ban and asset freeze. The EU said his inclusion was due to "publicly supporting the annexation of Crimea and calling occupied Ukrainian cities 'new territories' of the Russian Federation." In a statement, Dvorkovich said he had decided to "voluntarily suspend the exercise of my powers and duties," but told the BBC he had not resigned. He called the sanctions decision "unlawful and unfair" and said the sanctions were meant "to prevent me from running and serving for FIDE."

Coverage Comparison

Two news organizations have covered this story from different angles. The BBC focuses on the impact of the EU sanctions on Dvorkovich and the chess world, framing the move as a significant diplomatic victory for Ukraine. Deutsche Welle (DW) provides a more neutral overview of the upcoming FIDE election, detailing the candidates and the context of Russian influence within the organization.

Key Claims

• Arkady Dvorkovich is running for a third term as FIDE president. He was first elected in 2018 and re-elected in 2022, as reported by both the BBC and DW.
• Two Germans, Jan Henric Buettner and Wadim Rosenstein, are challenging Dvorkovich in the September election, according to DW.
• Buettner's goal is to improve transparency and create sustainable growth for chess, as stated in DW's report.
• Rosenstein wants to make FIDE one of the most respected institutions in international sports, also per DW.
• The Russian Chess Federation has been suspended by FIDE due to a CAS ruling, a claim carried by DW.
• The EU sanctioned Dvorkovich due to his support for the annexation of Crimea and his presence on the board of the Chess Federation of Russia, as reported by the BBC.
• Dvorkovich voluntarily suspended his powers and duties as FIDE president, a fact reported by the BBC.
• Ukraine has hailed the sanctions as "an important victory," according to BBC reporting.
• Malcolm Pein, England's representative to FIDE, described the move as "an earthquake and a massive diplomatic victory for Ukraine," as quoted by the BBC.

Perspectives

Ukraine – Ukrainian officials, including Volodymyr Kovalchuk, first vice president of the Ukrainian Chess Federation, have hailed the sanctions as an important victory. Kovalchuk said, "We hope never to see this man in the chess world again," adding that "People who develop sport in the interests of an aggressor state have no place in senior international positions."

Dvorkovich – The FIDE president has called the sanctions decision "unlawful and unfair," asserting that they are meant to prevent him from running and serving for FIDE. He has suspended his duties but has not resigned.

England's FIDE representative – Malcolm Pein described the move as "an earthquake and a massive diplomatic victory for Ukraine," noting that it may significantly reduce Russia's influence in the chess world, which Russia has used as a tool of soft power since the Second World War.

Chess coach Peter Heine Nielsen – Nielsen, coach of former world champion Magnus Carlsen, is quoted by DW as saying he still considers Dvorkovich the favorite in the race, but that EU sanctions could change the situation.