International chess officials said his behavior violated the sport’s code of ethics by presenting the game in an “unjustified, unfavorable light”.
2/2 My answer is simple. I am on the side of Russia and my President. No matter what happens, I will support my country in any situation without a second thought!
— Sergey Karyakin 🇷🇺🇷🇺🇷🇺 (@SergeyKaryakin) March 10, 2022
In announcing its decision on Monday, the International Chess Federation cited “a significant number of reactions on social media and elsewhere, largely negative” to opinions expressed by Karjakin regarding the ongoing military conflict.
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The International Chess Organization has traditionally avoided politics. But this month, a historic step was taken, and tournaments from Russia and Belarus were held in response to the invasion.
Russian players have long played a dominant role on the world chess scene. During the Soviet era, grandmasters such as Garry Kasparov and Anatoly Karpov were treated like celebrities. Today there are about 239 grandmasters in Russia, more than in any other country.
Karjakin, 32, who was born in Crimea and represented Ukraine until 2009, reacted angrily on Monday to the six-month ban, saying on Telegram that it was “expected, but no less shameful,” adding that the “basic principle that sport is out of politics , was crushed.”
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Karjakin said he did not regret publicly expressing his support for Putin, the Russian people and the army. “Firstly, I am a patriot of my country, and only secondly, an athlete,” he wrote.
In a separate ruling on Monday, the International Chess Federation decided not to sanction another Russian chess player, Sergei Shipov, saying his statements are “somewhat different and less provocative” and – because he is less well known – he has a “less powerful platform” to negatively affect the game with their views.
In addition to canceling tournaments, including the prestigious Chess Olympiad, the federation also said this month that Russian and Belarusian players would not be allowed to fly their flags at tournaments and that the federation would terminate all sponsorship agreements with the Russian and Belarusian states. owned enterprises.
Julian Mark contributed to this report.