Asian Chess Governing Body Engages in Games with Russian Entity
Chillin' with the Chess Masters: The Asian Chess Clubs League Comes to Russia
Get ready, chess enthusiasts! The city of Khanty-Mansiysk is about to become a hotspot for some intense gaming action. In June, this Siberian city will host none other than the Asian Chess Clubs League, a major event in the world of competitive chess.
Here's the kicker—it's been a while since Russia has been in the limelight for a significant international tournament, especially since the sanctions against the Russian sports sector were introduced in 2022. So, this event can be seen as something of a breakthrough!
The Russian Chess Federation (RCF) announced that the Asian Chess Federation (ACF) has decided to hold one of its premier competitions in Russia this year. The tournament, set to take place from June 17 to 26, will feature ten teams, each with six players. Three of these teams will represent the host country, with a hefty prize fund of 10 million rubles up for grabs. Excited yet? Well, you should be! The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has officially marked the event on its calendar.
Now, let's talk about why this event is such a big deal. Asian countries have been dominating the chess world lately, with achievements to back it up. For instance, Chinese woman Ju Wenjun and Indian Gukesh Dommaraju hold the championship titles in the men's and women's categories, respectively. Moreover, more than half of the top ten in the FIDE men's rating list are grandmasters playing under the ACF banner, including Russian Yan Nepomniaschikh.
Interestingly, FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs) was previously part of the European Chess Union but switched regions in 2023, joining the Asian Chess Federation (ACF). Russian chess officials cited their Asian partners as being "more loyal and constructive" in comparison to their European counterparts.
Alexander Tkachev, the executive director of FIDE, spoke to "Kommersant" about the decision. He pointed out that ACF has its own stance on the current situation, which differs significantly from the European perspective. Tkachev noted, "For its leaders, the phrase 'sport is separate from politics' is not an empty one."
The bid to host the Asian League of Champions in Khanty-Mansiysk was reportedly submitted months ago and went through careful consideration by the ACF. During this time, they decided that Russia and Khanty-Mansiysk had not lost their ability to organize major events, considering the city's history of hosting significant chess tournaments, such as the World Chess Olympiad, the World Cup, and the Candidates' Tournament.
So there you have it—the Asian Chess Clubs League is coming to Russia, and we couldn't be more excited! Let's hope this marks the beginning of more international events making their way back to Russia. Game on!
Alexei Dospiev
Note: Enrichment data indicates that there's been continued international sanctions on Russian sports due to the conflict in Ukraine, but the information provided does not specifically mention any awards by the Asian Chess Federation to Russia.
- In an unexpected turn of events, the Asian Chess Federation (ACF) announced plans to host the Asian Chess Clubs League in Russia this year, marking a significant international tournament for the country since the introduction of sports sanctions in 2022.
- Given the ongoing sports sanctions, it's noteworthy that the Asian Chess Federation (ACF) has decided to hold one of its premier competitions, the Asian Chess Clubs League, in Russia in 2023.
- Despite the continuous international sports sanctions against Russia due to the conflict in Ukraine, the city of Khanty-Mansiysk is still set to make a comeback in the international chess arena, hosting the Asian Chess Clubs League in June this year.
