Carlsen is one of several chess stars who are asking the Ukrainian authorities to make an exception for grandmaster Vasyl Ivantsyuk. The 54-year-old from Ukraine has been given a wildcard to the World Chess Cup by the International Chess Federation (FIDE), but is refused to participate. The Ukrainian government has decided that. After Russia’s invasion, Ukraine decided that their athletes are not allowed to participate in tournaments where Russians and Belarusians also compete. SIGNED LETTER: Hikaru Nakamura on the left and Magnus Carlsen in the middle helped sign the letter which was passed on by Fide. Here from the WC in blitz and rapid chess in Almaty. Photo: Christian Grieg Sander / news – I don’t think the letter is that interesting. I react much more to Fide using this case to criticize the Ukrainian sports management and put pressure on them, says Russia and chess expert Atle Grønn to news. – Not talking about the elephant in the room Many sports have banned Russia, while in chess they are allowed to participate under the neutral Fide flag. – Ivanchuk is a true chess legend, loved by fans all over the world, a player who has brought glory to Ukraine countless times, including with two team victories during the Chess Olympics. We are proud and happy every time we have the opportunity to play against him, says an open letter to Fide. CHESS PROFILE: A number of stars want Vasyl Ivantsjuk to take part in the World Chess Cup. Photo: Alvaro Barrientos / AP It is signed by Carlsen, world number two Hikaru Nakamura, world number three Fabiano Caruana, world fischer chess champion Wesley So and chess veteran Boris Gelfand. The letter has been shared by Fide, which encourages the chess community to get involved in the matter and share the message from the players. – I didn’t bother to read that letter from the grandmasters, says Grønn. He justifies it as follows: – People don’t talk about the elephant in the room, which is Russia’s warfare. He thinks Fide appears hypocritical when they try to engage the chess world to get Ivantsjuk involved. CRITICAL: Chess expert fails to engage with the letter from the chess profiles. Photo: Fredrik Hagen / NTB – They are unable to say out loud that Ukraine has been attacked by Russia. They are unable to say out loud why Ivantsyuk doesn’t go and play. They pretend that this is a problem from the Ukrainian side. They fail to address the elephant in the room. news has tried to get a comment from Fide about Grønn’s statements, but has so far been unsuccessful. Reacting to statement Ivantsjuk is a former world runner-up and a high profile in the chess community. Carlsen and co. describes it as a “big disappointment” that Ukraine refuses him participation in the major tournament. – We believe that his participation will bring joy to many, especially Ukrainians, and we respectfully ask that you review the decision and grant the necessary permission, they write. “Why can’t you talk about what is interesting?”, Grønn wonders about the Fide statement and what is in the letter. – I don’t mind that the big players want to see him play. It is not ill will from the best players. But it is symptomatic of the chess world that they do not address what is the big problem. The letter is addressed to Ukraine’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Vadym Huttsajt. He is also the head of the country’s Olympic Committee. news has asked Carlsen’s father and manager, Henrik, for a comment, but so far without an answer. Huttsajt has previously threatened to boycott the Olympics in Paris in 2024 if Russia and Belarus are allowed to participate. The IOC has still not made a final decision regarding the countries’ participation. – We are fighting for a complete ban of Russians and Belarusians from international tournaments while the war is ongoing. They should not be allowed to compete under any flag, the minister said recently, according to chess.com.
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– I didn’t bother to read that letter – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
