Archive · 25 Aug 2026
Russia barred from third straight Chess Olympiad after neutral-flag plea
Russia wanted its chess teams to play in the 2026 Chess Olympiad.
It asked to compete under a neutral flag instead of Russia’s flag.
The FIDE Council rejected that request.
This means neither the Russian men’s nor women’s team will play.
The competition will take place in Samarkand.
Russia has now been kept out of three Chess Olympiads in a row.
The exclusion follows Russia’s suspension from international sports.
That suspension came after Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
The FIDE Council rejected Russia’s request to enter the 2026 Chess Olympiad.
Russia’s men’s and women’s teams will miss the competition.
The teams were denied participation even under a neutral flag.
The 2026 Olympiad will be held in Samarkand.
This will be Russia’s third consecutive missed Chess Olympiad after its suspension following the invasion of Ukraine.
- Who
- The Fédération Internationale des Échecs (FIDE) Council and Russia’s men’s and women’s chess teams are involved.
- What
- The FIDE Council rejected Russia’s request to participate in the 2026 Chess Olympiad, including under a neutral flag.
- When
- The decision was confirmed on Monday; the Olympiad is scheduled for 2026.
- Where
- The 2026 Chess Olympiad will be held in Samarkand.
- Why
- Russia remains suspended from international sports following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Russia’s participation request
FIDE Council’s decision
Eligibility to compete
Russia’s participation request
Russia sought permission for both its men’s and women’s teams to participate, including under a neutral flag.
FIDE Council’s decision
The FIDE Council rejected participation for both Russian teams, including under a neutral flag.
Effect of the decision
Russia’s participation request
Russian officials wanted the teams to return to the World Chess Olympiad.
FIDE Council’s decision
Russia will miss the 2026 event and its third consecutive Chess Olympiad.
- Competition
- 2026 Chess Olympiad
- Host city
- Samarkand
- Decision-maker
- FIDE Council
- Teams affected
- Russia’s men’s and women’s national teams
- Neutral-flag request
- Rejected
- Consecutive absences
- Three Chess Olympiads
- Russian official quoted
- Alexander Tkachev, executive director of the Russian Chess Federation