Arkady Dvorkovich, the president of FIDE, was included in the EU’s 21st sanctions package over his public support for Russia’s war in Ukraine and his role in the Russian Chess Federation’s activities in occupied territories.
The EU measures generally mean a travel ban and an asset freeze, which would prevent him from entering or transiting EU countries and stop EU persons or firms from making funds available to him.
For chess, the impact is bigger than a legal listing. Dvorkovich said the restriction was personal, but it still creates a major problem for FIDE because its president would struggle to attend events and official meetings across Europe.
The sanctions also deepen the pressure already surrounding Russian chess. FIDE has faced criticism and separate disciplinary action over the Russian Chess Federation’s events in occupied Ukrainian territory, making Dvorkovich’s case part of a wider sporting and political dispute.
