Washington’s position with respect to the World Chess Championship in New York on November 11-30, in which Russian challenger Sergey Karyakin will take part, is a source of confusion and concern. The tournament is organised by the World Chess Federation (FIDE), which declared a Year of Chess in the United States. Over 30 large-scale chess events of various levels were held in New York alone.Needless to say, this reason is grotesque and indefensible, but any excuse works for the current US government, which has gotten carried away playing with sanctions, including those against Russia and our citizens. Meanwhile, New York was chosen as the venue for the match for a reason. FIDE wished to pay tribute to the memory of outstanding US chess grandmaster Bobby Fischer, a New Yorker.
We can only regret that the White House has a different position today and, in the wake of the heavy damage done to Russian-US relations, is again refusing to observe the universal principle that sports should remain above politics. As a result, for the first time in 92 years the FIDE President will not be able to attend the match he organised. This does not reflect well on the outgoing US Administration.
Maria Zakharova
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson
