EU sanctions force Russian chess federation president to suspend role
World · 24 July 2026
Written by AI from multiple news reports
Arkady Dvorkovich, the president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), has suspended himself from his role after the EU added him to its sanctions list.
The EU's latest sanctions package targeted more than 50 Russian military and industrial organisations. These organisations have helped Russia build long-range drones and develop a satellite communications system.
Dvorkovich made his announcement on Friday. Around the same time, FIDE suspended the Russian Chess Federation. A sports court had ordered this suspension back in April, with a deadline of 9 June. FIDE had been slow to act, but news that Dvorkovich might face EU sanctions pushed the organisation to move quickly.