Vice President of the Russian Chess Federation Sergey Smagin commented on the ban of Russian national teams from the Chess Olympiad 2026. Smagin believes FIDE will reconsider the decision, and notes that the Olympiad cannot be considered complete without the Russian team.

Sergey Smagin

Sergey Smagin

Russian Chess Federation Vice President

“I expected that we would be allowed. I think we were not allowed because of some behind-the-scenes games before the FIDE presidential election.

We will now wait for news from there. I am confident that our return is inevitable, the main question is only when it will happen.

Of course, the non-admission to the Chess Olympiad 2026 affects both us and the tournament itself. Everyone understands that without the greatest chess power in the world, the tournament cannot be considered complete.

Already in many sports, they understand that victory without the participation of Russians is not as sweet.”

Executive Director of the Russian Chess Federation Alexander Tkachev made an announcement on August 24. The FIDE Council did not allow the Russian men’s and women’s national teams to compete in the Chess Olympiad 2026.

The Chess Olympiad is a prestigious national team competition. The event is held every two years and organized by FIDE. The 2026 event will take place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from September 15 to 28. The men’s and women’s teams of Russia will miss the third Olympiad in a row.