World Chess Changes Logo to Anti-War Version
Russia attacked Ukraine. We are witnessing a humanitarian catastrophe that appears to be as painful as it is unnecessary. We very much hope for a peaceful solution. We changed our logo into a sign of peace to show our support for Ukraine and as a call for an immediate ceasefire.
While the war is taking place in Ukraine, World Chess will use the anti-war logo in all of its broadcasts and will join the chess community and the world in calling for peace.
‘Disgrace’: Photo reveals chess world divided by Russia-Ukraine crisis
The chess world has been riven with division over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, with the sport’s main governing body taking a stand.
Sergey Karjakin (right) sits next to Magnus Carlsen of Norway during a press
conference in 2016 in New York. Picture: AFP
German chess grand master Georg Meier responded by calling the Russian a
A photo of a Ukrainian chess player with a weapon is symbolic of a crisis that has gripped the chess world since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last week.
FIDE, the governing body of international chess, has announced it is essentially banning Russian players from tournaments after it held an extraordinary meeting on Sunday.
“No official FIDE chess competitions and events will be held in Russia and Belarus,” FIDE said in a statement.
“Following the call from IOC, the FIDE Council decides that no Russian and Belarusian national flag be displayed or anthem be played in all FIDE-rated international chess events.”
The 2022 Chess Olympiad, that was scheduled to take place in July, will not take place in Russia as previously planned.
The war has been incredibly divisive for the chess community. Notable players like US grand master Hikaru Nakamura and others have publicly supported Ukraine, raising money for charity on Twitch.
Nakamura wrote: “It has been many years since I was in Ukraine, but to see what is happening now is heartbreaking. Stay strong.”
Captain of the Ukrainian national chess team Oleksandr Sulypa posted a photo on Twitter, holding a weapon, indicating he was ready to fight.
Russian Sergey Karjakin has been outspoken on social media, defending his country’s actions and drawing sharp criticism from the chess world.
Karjakin, who unsuccessfully challenged world chess champion Magnus Carlsen for the crown in 2016, came under fire for an anecdote he posted on Twitter.
“Taxi driver in Dubai: -Where are you from? – from Russia – Russia is great! Our Prime Minister is there now! In a few years we will be close friends with Russia! We are not so stupid as Ukraine!” he posted in the now-deleted tweet.
Krjakin, who formerly represented Ukraine, sparked a firestorm with his tweet but hasn’t backed down.
He slammed FIDE’s move, writing, “For many years, [FIDE] has existed on Russian money. World cups, World Championship matches, candidates tournaments. Everything was sponsored by Russia. With its decisions, FIDE will worsen the situation of chess players all over the world.”
FIDE sanctioned Karjakin for his comments.
“FIDE Council condemns any public statement from any member of the chess community which supports unjustified military action and brings the case of chess grand masters Sergey Karjakin and Sergey Shipov to the Ethics and Disciplinary Commission,” the body said.
Karjakin also lashed out at chess website Chess24, writing: “What was originally a chess portal continues to be cowardly silent. Forgetting that I spent a dozen streams there, where I played with everyone. Chess24 doesn’t exist for me anymore.”
Magnus Carlsen posted a message from Chess24 stating the site was “devastated” by the Russian invasion of Ukraine and that it “strongly condemned” the attack.
An article posted by Chess24 stated that FIDE “appears to be riven with division over” the invasion and noted the “organisation is largely funded by Russian corporate donors and Russian sponsors such as Gazprom and Nornickel.”
by ChessBase
2/28/2022 – In the second week of March, the French capital will host the “Chess for Mental Health” international event. The conference will cover various topics related to mental health, including autism, DYS, concentration, hyperactivity. The event’s keynote is how chess can improve multiple aspects of mental health.
Focusing on Autistic Spectrum Disorder
In 2021, FIDE organized two virtual conferences dedicated to introducing chess to children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, and we are happy that more and more institutions are turning towards embracing the benefits of chess for mental health. The Infinite Chess Project is one of the key social initiatives of FIDE, and it aims to enhance knowledge and awareness about chess for children with ASD, give practical advice for teachers and parents, study the benefits of introducing chess and develop teaching methods. A huge part of the upcoming conference will be dedicated to the topic of ASD, with trainers sharing their practical experience.
Eloi Relange, the President of FFE, explained:
Among its many assets, the game of chess brings many benefits in the service of mental health. Achievements and projects are multiplying at the international level. The French Chess Federation is proud to invite you to this international conference organized by our Health Social Disability Commission and our International Commission.
The conference will cover various topics related to mental health, including autism, DYS, concentration, hyperactivity. The event’s keynote is how chess can improve multiple aspects of mental health.
The list of speakers includes:
Eloi Relange, FFE President
Franck Droin, FFE, President of the “Health Social Handicap” Commission
Franck Belivier, Ministry of Health and Solidarity
Dana Reiniece-Ozola, FIDE Managing Director
Claire Compagnon, Prime Minister Services Interministerial Delegate Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Devora Kestel, World Health Organization Director, Mental Health and Substance Use
Maurice Bensoussan, President of the Psychiatric French Society and President of CNQSP FFE, “Health Social Handicap”
Towards the second hour of the conference, Anastasia Sorokina, FIDE Vice President and leader of the Infinite Chess project, will open the discussion on chess for children with Autistic Spectrum Disorder, followed by presentations and practical advice from Natalia Popova, Trainer of the FIDE Chess Academy in Belarus, leader of the 2-year-long project teaching chess to children with ASD, Ala Mishchanka, Special needs educational assistant with more than 15 years of experience, Luis Blasco De La Cruz of FIDE’s Commission for Chess in Education, María Rodrigo Yanguas, WFM and a sports psychologist, Erick Takawira, Director of the KZN Chess Academy, and Kanthi Devi Sarjoo, speech/language pathologist/audiologist from the Browns’ School. Chess Trainer Emmanuel Nieman, Eric Desailly of Foundation Ellen Poidatz, François Lescure, President of Teladoc Health France, and Sophie Krief, CEO of AESIO Mutuelle, will talk about the French experience.
Finally, Aurélie Renard-Vignelles, Edith Jebob Duvernet, Maxence Augier, and Dr Maurice Bensoussan will discuss troubles of DYS, concentration, and hyperactivity.
"Chess for Mental Health" Conference Program (pdf)
To participate in the Chess for Mental Health international conference, please fill out the registration form.
Links
News on the FIDE website
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