Archive · 18 Nov 2025
Ukraine Protests Russian Team at Women's World Chess Championship
The Women's World Chess Team Championship started in Spain, but it's been overshadowed by a controversy.
Ukraine is upset that Russia is allowed to compete under the FIDE flag, without their national symbols.
Ukraine says this breaks rules set by the International Olympic Committee and FIDE itself.
The European Chess Union also disagrees with this decision.
FIDE says they have a letter from the IOC that doesn't object to this, but Ukraine argues that this letter doesn't exist.
Ukraine filed an official complaint against 'Team FIDE'
Russian team allowed to compete under FIDE flag without national symbols
Ukraine claims FIDE violated IOC guidelines and its own rules
ECU voiced against the decision, stating it contradicts FIDE General Assembly decisions
FIDE provided a letter from IOC stating they wouldn't take a position on the matter
- Who
- Ukraine, Russia, FIDE, European Chess Union
- What
- Protested against Russian team's participation in Women's World Chess Team Championship
- When
- November 17, 2025
- Where
- Linares, Spain
- Why
- Ukraine claims FIDE violated rules by allowing Russian team to compete under FIDE flag without national symbols
Ukraine and ECU
FIDE
Russian team's participation
Ukraine and ECU
Violates IOC guidelines and FIDE rules without a formal 'non-objection letter' from IOC
FIDE
Allowed under FIDE's policy following IOC guidance, with a letter stating IOC wouldn't take a position
- Event
- FIDE Women’s World Team Championship 2025
- Location
- Linares, Spain
- Date
- November 17, 2025
- Organizer
- FIDE (World Chess Federation)
- Controversy
- Russian team's participation under FIDE flag