Ukrainian Chess Federation appealed to colleagues to protest potential lifting of sanctions against the russian and belarusian chess federations
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... |
To our esteemed colleagues,
We, the undersigned members of Olympic Chess Teams of Ukraine, write to you with a heavy heart and a deep sense of urgency as we approach the FIDE General Assembly scheduled for September 21-22 in Budapest.
As you may be aware, the assembly will consider the potential lifting of sanctions against the russian and belarusian chess federations. We believe that discussing this matter is not only premature but also deeply immoral given the ongoing circumstances affecting our homeland and the broader international community.
Our Concerns
Humanitarian Crisis: The ongoing conflict has resulted in significant suffering for many individuals and families in Ukraine. Acknowledging the federations that support aggression contradicts the values of our sport.
Solidarity and Ethics: Chess, a game that thrives on principles of fairness and respect, should not align itself with entities that endorse violence and oppression.
Impact on Players: The decision to lift sanctions could embolden aggressors and undermine the safety and integrity of players from affected nations, including Ukraine.
Our Appeal
In light of these concerns, we respectfully urge you to:
Advocate Against the Discussion: Please press your national federations to ensure that this topic is not even placed on the agenda for discussion.
Stand in Solidarity: Show your support for the Ukrainian chess community and those affected by the conflict.
Promote Peace: Let us collectively uphold the values of peace, integrity, and respect within our chess community.
Conclusion
Together, we can make a stand for what is right. The chess community has always been a beacon of unity and strength, and now is the time to demonstrate that solidarity. We trust that you will join us in our appeal and help protect the principles we hold dear.
Thank you for your understanding and support.
Yours sincerely,
GM Oleksandr Beljavskyi, GM Mykhaylo Brodskiy, IM Nataliia Buksa, WGM Ievgeniya Doluhanova, IM Inna Gaponenko, GM Vasyl Ivanchuk, GM Anton Korobov, GM Volodymyr Onishchuk, IM Yuliia Osmak, GM Ruslan Ponomarov, GM Anna Ushenina, GM Andriy Volokytin, GM Natalia Zhukova.