A FIDE flag player is a chess player who is unaffiliated with any national federation, and thus does not officially play for any country or national federation in FIDE-sanctioned tournaments.[1] The flag takes its name from the French acronym for International Chess Federation or World Chess Federation (Fédération Internationale des Échecs)
Alireza Firouzja (FIDE) (left) competing as a FIDE flag playerAlireza Firouzja is among the notable players who played under the FIDE flag. He formerly represented Iran but opted to play as a neutral athlete under FIDE in 2019 due to Iran's sports policy of boycotting Israel.[2][3] He eventually transferred to France's federation in 2021.[4]
Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia was speculated to be required to play under the FIDE flag in the World Chess Championship 2021 due to the World Anti-Doping Agency's sanctions against Russia in the Olympics and tournaments considered as world championships.[5] He officially played for the Chess Federation of Russia (CFR) instead with a flag bearing the CFR's logo and abbreviation.[6]
Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, FIDE decided that "no Russian and Belarusian national flag be displayed or anthem be played in all FIDE-rated international chess events". FIDE offered players to play under the flag of their national chess federation, or under the FIDE flag. Since FIDE's decision, most top-level Russian chess players play in international events under the FIDE flag, including Nepomniachtchi at the 2022 Candidates tournament, 2023 World Championship and 2024 Candidates tournament.[7][8][9][10]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "Regulations for Registration & Licensing of Players (effective from July 1, 2015)". International Chess Federation. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
- ^ Barden, Leonard (27 December 2019). "Chess: Iran's Alireza Firouzja, 16, bypasses ban on playing Israelis". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
- ^ Lipin, Michael; Yazdiha, Elham (18 November 2020). "Iranian-American Chess Master Urges Iran's Players to Quit National Federation". VOA News. Voice of America. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
- ^ "Alireza Firouzja to play for France". Chess News. 9 July 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
- ^ Barden, Leonard (1 May 2021). "Ian Nepomniachtchi will not be able to play next to Russia flag against Carlsen". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
- ^ "Carlsen and Nepomniachtchi draw chess world title opener after flag furore". the Guardian. 26 November 2021. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
- ^ "The Official Statement of FIDE Council". www.fide.com. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
- ^ Doggers (PeterDoggers), Peter. "FIDE Condemns Military Action; Takes Measures Against Russia, Belarus". Chess.com. Retrieved 2023-05-04.
- ^ "FIDE Candidates Tournament: Drawings of lots and pairings". www.fide.com. Apr 28, 2022. Retrieved 2022-06-30.
- ^ "Russia and Belarus teams suspended from FIDE competitions". www.fide.com. Mar 16, 2022. Retrieved 2022-06-30.
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