The admission of Russian chess players to international competitions under the FIDE banner was seriously discussed between the two strongest Russian grandmasters. While Sergey Karyakin flatly refused to sit at the board, on which, next to his name, there would be no state symbols of our country, Ian Nepomniachtchi accepted the “rules of the game” proposed by officials.
As a result, Karjakin said in one of his interviews that he no longer communicates with Jan, and the reason for this was precisely the disagreement on this issue. “He chose his own path, and this path is unacceptable to me. And I respect Grandmaster Nepomniachtchi – he brilliantly held the Candidates Tournament and won the right to compete for the crown, ”Sergey said then. As a result, Karjakin did not go to the World Cup in Baku, although he was on the list of participants and was invited to the tournament.
RIA News
You can treat performances under a neutral flag in different ways. And this applies not only to chess. Disputes on this topic have not subsided so far: someone calls it disrespect for their country, while someone, on the contrary, believes that if Russia can now be glorified in the international arena only in this way, it should take advantage of this opportunity. . After Sergey’s strong statements, chess lovers in our country were waiting for what Jan would say. It didn’t take long for an answer.
RIA News
Nepomniachtchi gave a lengthy interview to the RIA Novosti agency, in which he explained why he did not consider acting under the FIDE banner to be unacceptable for him.
“I think it does not depend so much on us, but on the rest of the world. Our sports officials, I’m sure, are doing their best. At least, I hope for this, as well as the fact that a certain compromise will be found. In any decision, common sense must be maintained. Each athlete, of course, decides for himself, but it is not only the Russian flag next to the surname that determines belonging to the country, ”Yan emphasized.
RIA News
Nepomniachtchi also expressed the hope that fans will continue to support Russian athletes performing on the international stage, as before, saying that the need to support a neutral flag for a while is a necessary measure.
After this statement by Ian Nepomniachtchi, he will surely have criticism. But there is still a grain of truth in his words. Athletes cannot change the political environment and influence the attitude towards them in the world. And we must continue to win despite the circumstances, because even under a neutral flag they are still citizens of Russia, and they will go down in history as representatives of our country, no matter what the official protocols say.
