Ukraine Demands Russian Team Removal From Women's Chess Championship - Tournament Validity at Risk
Ukraine
Ukraine has filed a formal protest demanding the removal of Russian players from the FIDE World Women's Team Championship, claiming their participation violates both IOC guidelines and FIDE's own rules. The Ukrainian team says if the "FIDE" team - composed of Russian players competing under a neutral flag - isn't disqualified, they will challenge the entire tournament's validity. FIDE required IOC approval for Russian teams to compete but has not provided proof such approval was granted, according to Ukraine's official appeal signed by the team captain, head of delegation, and coach.
What Ukraine Is Protesting
Ukrainian officials submitted a formal appeal on November 17 challenging the participation of Russian players competing as the "FIDE" team in the ongoing World Women's Team Championship.
Ukraine's core argument:
Russian players are competing under the "FIDE" name despite violating two key rules:
1. IOC Guidelines: The International Olympic Committee prohibits Russian athletes from team competitions due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
2. FIDE's Own Rule: A FIDE Council decision from July 18, 2025, explicitly requires Russian teams to obtain a "letter of no-objection" from the IOC before competing.
Ukraine's claim: No such IOC letter has been provided, making the Russian team's participation illegal under FIDE's own regulations.
The Missing IOC Letter
The appeal states: "No such letter of no-objection has been provided to us or, to our knowledge, to any other team."
Ukraine's interpretation: If FIDE requested IOC approval and received no response, "this can only be interpreted as the IOC declining to issue such approval, consistent with its recommendations prohibiting the participation of teams composed of athletes holding Russian passports."
The conclusion: Without IOC approval, the FIDE/Russia team's participation is illegal and contradicts FIDE's binding Council decision.
Ukraine's Demands
Primary demand is to remove the FIDE/Russia team from the tournament immediately.
If demand rejected, Ukraine states that "all results of this World Championship - and potentially the validity of the Championship itself - would be compromised."
FIDE's Rules Dilemma
FIDE created a specific rule requiring IOC approval for Russian teams. Now Ukraine is holding them to it.
If FIDE has IOC approval: They should produce it immediately to resolve the protest.
If FIDE doesn't have approval: They violated their own rules by allowing the Russian team to compete.
If FIDE ignores the protest: Tournament results could face legal challenges.
What Happens Next
There are multiple possible outcomes:
Scenario 1: FIDE produces IOC approval letter - Ukraine's protest dismissed, tournament continues.
Scenario 2: FIDE admits no IOC approval exists - Russian team potentially disqualified, results invalidated.
Scenario 3: FIDE ignores protest - Ukraine pursues legal action, tournament legitimacy questioned.
Scenario 4: Tournament continues as-is - Results contested, potential legal battle follows.
Why This Matters
For the tournament: Results could be invalidated if Ukraine's protest succeeds or leads to legal action.
For FIDE: The organization's credibility is at stake if they violated their own rules.
For Russian players: They face potential disqualification from an ongoing championship.
For Ukraine: This is about more than chess - it's about enforcing sanctions against Russian sports during wartime.
The Signatories
The appeal was signed by three Ukrainian officials:
- Mykhaylo Brodsky - Captain of Ukrainian Women's National Team in Linares
- Volodymyr Kovalchuk - Head of Ukrainian Delegation
- Mykhaylo Oleksiyenko - Coach of Ukrainian Women's National Team in Linares
The document was received November 17, 2025, indicating the protest is happening during the ongoing tournament.
The Bottom Line
Ukraine is forcing FIDE to answer a simple question: Do you have IOC approval for the Russian team or not? If yes, show the letter. If no, disqualify the team under your own rules. FIDE's response - or lack thereof - will determine whether this tournament's results stand or become the center of a major international chess controversy. The clock is ticking. The tournament is happening now. And Ukraine wants answers immediately.
Follow ChessTV.com for live updates on the FIDE World Women's Team Championship protest.
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