World Chess body FIDE suspends Russia & Belarus participants from all official events

In a key development, world chess body FIDE has suspended Russia and Belarus from all its official events with immediate effect. However, players can continue partaking in tournaments under FIDE flag. While FIDE's Director-General Emil Sutovsky believes that decision taken is balanced and fair, he believes that players should not be prohibited from participating. Sutovsky furr ded that duty of chess and sports is to unite and help world become a better place.

FIDE to suspend Russian and Belarus players from participation

International Chess Federation cited that y have taken into account current recommendations of IOC and FIDE Council to suspend national teams of Russia and Belarus from participation in official FIDE tournaments until furr notice. ir complete statement is mentioned below:

"IMPORTANT: Taking into account current recommendations of IOC, FIDE Council suspends national teams of Russia and Belarus from participation in official FIDE tournaments until furr notice.

In individual tournaments of FIDE World Championship cycle, players from se countries will be able to participate under FIDE flag."

FIDE's Director-General Emil Sutovsky commented on suspension: "I think decision taken by FIDE is balanced and fair. We are following IOC recommendations and suspending participation of all Russian and Belurusian teams from all official FIDE events."

"However, we believe that players from se countries should not be deprived of possibility to play in individual competitions - even if y will have to do it under FIDE flag."

" role of FIDE is to build bridges, unite and help world to be a better place. Sport and chess in particular always was and is an excellent tool for that", concluded Emil Sutovsky."

Russia-Ukraine war enters Day 21

Though Russia-Ukraine war has entered Day 21, re are no signs that ongoing conflict will end anytime soon as Moscow shows no signs of relenting in its pursuit of inving Kyiv. talks between both sides are expected to continue for sixth round on Wednesday, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy repeatedly having called for an immediate ceasefire.

Russia's invasion, which commenced on February 24 when President Vlimir Putin announced a 'special military occupation,' has inflicted massive destruction across streets of major Ukrainian cities including Kyiv and Kharkiv, with several innocent civilians losing ir lives. Zelenskyy h stated that as many as 100 children have died since invasion began.