Azerbaijani chess player Rauf Mammadov has announced that he will not participate in International Chess Federation (FIDE) tournaments.
“As long as the FIDE has a pro-Russian president, I promise that I will not play in the tournaments of this organization while the war is going on. Long live Ukraine,” the 34-year-old grandmaster wrote on Facebook, Report informs.
'Pro-Russian president of FIDE' is Arkady Dvorkovich. He has been elected as the World Chess Federation (FIDE) president in 2018. Foreign media calls Dvorkovich "Kremlin favorite". He was Deputy Prime Minister in Dmitry Medvedev's Cabinet from 21 May 2012 until 7 May 2018. Dvorkovich was previously an Assistant to the President of the Russian Federation from May 2008 to May 2012.
Dvorkovich is considered to be a close confidant of Dmitry Medvedev and an important figure in Russian politics. Since 2015, he is also the Chairman of the Board of the Directors in Russian Railways company.
Dvorkovich's father, Vladimir Dvorkovich, was an international chess arbiter.
On February 27, 2022, three days after Russian invasion of Ukraine, an extraordinary meeting of the FIDE Council was held on the situation and the urgent measures to be taken. After the meeting FIDE realeased the following statement:
“FIDE expresses its grave concern about the military action started by Russia in Ukraine. FIDE stands united against wars as well as condemns any use of military means to resolve political conflicts. FIDE will take any necessary action to ensure the security of chess players and other members of the chess community. No official FIDE chess competitions and events will be held in Russia and Belarus.”
Following the call from IOC, the FIDE Council decides that no Russian and Belarusian national flag be displayed or anthem be played in all FIDE-rated international chess events. Instead – the national chess federation’s flag or the official symbol/logo shall be used. A simplified procedure for performing under the FIDE flag would be followed where it is crucial for the players or any other chess officials under the current geopolitical situation.
In order to safeguard FIDE from reputational, financial, and any other possible risks, FIDE terminates all existing sponsorship agreements with any Belarusian and Russian sanctioned and/or state-controlled companies and will not enter into new sponsorship agreements with any such companies.
On April 1, 2022, at a press conference held in Delhi, Arkady Dvorkovich announced his intentions to run for reelection as FIDE President for a second term.
