FIDE flag player

A FIDE flag player is a chess player who is unaffiliated with any national federation, and thus does not officially play for any country or national federation in FIDE-sanctioned tournaments.[1] The flag takes its name from the French acronym for International Chess Federation or World Chess Federation (Fédération Internationale des Échecs)

Alireza Firouzja (left) competing as a FIDE flag player

Alireza Firouzja is among the notable players who played under the FIDE flag. He formerly represented Iran but opted to play as a neutral athlete under FIDE in 2019 due to Iran's sports policy of boycotting Israel.[2][3] He eventually transferred to France's federation in 2021.[4]

Ian Nepomniachtchi of Russia would reportedly play under the FIDE flag in the World Chess Championship 2021 due to the World Anti-Doping Agency's sanctions against Russia in the Olympics and tournaments considered as world championships.[5] He officially played for the Chess Federation of Russia (CFR) instead with a flag bearing the CFR's logo and abbreviation.[6]

See also

References
  1. "Regulations for Registration & Licensing of Players (effective from July 1, 2015)". International Chess Federation. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  2. Barden, Leonard (27 December 2019). "Chess: Iran's Alireza Firouzja, 16, bypasses ban on playing Israelis". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  3. Lipin, Michael; Yazdiha, Elham (18 November 2020). "Iranian-American Chess Master Urges Iran's Players to Quit National Federation". VOA News. Voice of America. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  4. "Alireza Firouzja to play for France". Chess News. 9 July 2021. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  5. Barden, Leonard (1 May 2021). "Ian Nepomniachtchi will not be able to play next to Russia flag against Carlsen". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 August 2021.
  6. "Carlsen and Nepomniachtchi draw chess world title opener after flag furore". the Guardian. 26 November 2021. Retrieved 28 November 2021.


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