Chess grandmaster banned over 'disgusting' Ukraine comments
The chess world has banned one of it's most prominent stars, Russian player Sergey Karjakin, for six months over the 32-year-old's outspoken defence of the invasion of Ukraine.
Karjakin has posted a steady stream of statements to Twitter in support of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, drawing the ire of his chess contemporaries ahead of the upcoming Candidates Tournament in June.
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However the Russian player has thus far been completely unapologetic, posting a statement to Twitter in which he vowed he was on the side of Russia and Putin 'no matter what'.
Once a challenger of grandmaster Magnus Carlssen in 2016, Karjakin's statements were quickly rebuked by the International Chess Federation (FIDE).
In a prolonged series of posts, Karjakin repeatedly accused Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelensky of committing war crimes, as well as sharing posts from Chinese government officials accusing the US of being the 'real threat' to world peace.
The FIDE issued a statement condemning Karjakin's comments.
“The statements by Sergey Karjakin on the ongoing military conflict in Ukraine have led to a considerable number of reactions on social media and elsewhere, to a large extent negative towards the opinions expressed,” the statement read.
“Sergey Karjakin is found guilty of breach of article 2.2.10 of the FIDE Code of Ethics, and is sanctioned to a worldwide ban of six months from participating as a player in any FIDE rated chess competition, taking effect from the date of this decision, 21 March 2022."
I hereby volunteer as tribute to play Ding Liren 20+ times so he can destroy me and qualify to the candidates to replace Sergey Karjakin. Let's get it done @FIDE_chess
— GothamChess (@GothamChess) March 21, 2022
the only right decision, Karjakin is the worst person I’ve ever seen in the chess world. What he said about the invasion at the beginning and what he keeps saying now… it’s disgusting. Hope, Ding somehow will get the spot
— timur (@timurdddddd) March 21, 2022
So Chess GM Sergey Karjakin has been banned from all chess competitions by FIDE, including the upcoming candidates cup, over statements made supporting the Russian offensive on Ukraine.
Currently, and a bit ironically, a Russian is at the head of FIDE. pic.twitter.com/buNYZHcJ48— NoBody³³º¹ (@aarostew) March 21, 2022
and you're supposed to be one of the smart Russians. God help us all. You're a disgrace.
— John Rowland (@JRowland_Invest) March 22, 2022
Russian chess grandmaster banned over anti-Ukraine remarks
Born in Crimea, Karjakin was actually a representative of Ukraine in the chess world until 2009.
He has long been a vocal supporter of Russian president Vladimir Putin, and reiterated his support for the Russian government in the wake of his ban from world chess.
"Many people ask if I regret my public support of the special operation? After all, I have already lost invitations to Western tournaments and may lose an invitation to the candidates tournament," he wrote.
"My answer is simple. I am on the side of Russia and my President. No matter what happens, I will support my country in any situation without thinking for a second!"
Karjakin wasn't the only Russian chess player whose stance on the invasion was umpopular among the wider community.
The FIDE also investigated comments made by fellow grandmaster Sergei Shipov, however he was not sanctioned after it was deemed his pro-Russia comments were 'slightly different and less provocative character than the ones made by Karjakin'.
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