Russian ex-Deputy Prime Minister and current FIDE President, Dvorkovich, joins chess event in Jurmala
Following the recent decisions made by FIDE, Russian chess players are now allowed to participate in international tournaments, such as the Rudaga Kaissa 2025 event in Latvia, under the FIDE flag rather than their national flag.
This arrangement is subject to specific conditions, including a non-objection letter from the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The 2nd FIDE Council meeting held on July 18, 2025, approved the participation of Russian athletes under the FIDE flag in certain competitions, with ongoing consultations involving the IOC regarding Russian participation in team events.
The Rudaga Kaissa 2025 tournament, an individual international chess event organized in compliance with the laws and regulations of Latvia and FIDE rules, took place from August 1 to August 8, 2025, in Jurmala.
Arkady Dvorkovich, the former Deputy Prime Minister of Russia and current President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), attended the tournament as a special guest. He was invited to open the event and participated not as a representative of a particular country, but in a neutral status, competing under the FIDE flag.
The Latvian Sports Ministry stated that the participants of Rudaga Kaissa 2025 would not receive international ranking points due to the tournament not being coordinated with the Latvian Chess Federation (LSF). However, all participants were registered with valid FIDE licenses, and the event was organized in close cooperation with FIDE and the LSF.
The LSF does not allow chess competitions to be used for political purposes or propaganda. In compliance with the Law on Sport in Latvia, individual Russian or Belarusian athletes are allowed to participate in competitions in Latvia, but Latvian teams are banned from playing against Russian and Belarusian teams if they participate in competitions under their own flag or in a neutral capacity.
In light of these regulations, Russian players are allowed to participate in international chess tournaments like Rudaga Kaissa 2025, but under the neutral FIDE flag due to ongoing political considerations and IOC-related conditions. They do not compete under the Russian national flag but are permitted to play once the necessary FIDE and IOC approvals are secured.
In light of the ongoing consultations with the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Russian athletes are still subject to specific conditions when participating in international sports events, as exhibited in the Rudaga Kaissa 2025 tournament. Arkady Dvorkovich, the President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), competed neutrally under the FIDE flag in the education sector, demonstrating a separation from politics.
