Russia's return to FIDE is difficult due to the position of 20–30 predominantly European countries

Russia's return to the International Chess Federation (FIDE) is difficult due to the position of a group of 20-30 predominantly European countries.

American grandmaster Lev Alburt believes that the situation for Russian chess players on the international stage should change for the better in the near future.

WASHINGTON, October 6 – RIA Novosti. The return of Russia to the International Chess Federation (FIDE) is hampered by the position of a group of 20-30 countries, mainly European, says American grandmaster Lev Alburt.

According to him, the current FIDE leadership is interested in the return of Russia, but is forced to take into account the position of national federations that oppose such a decision.

“I am sure that (FIDE President Timur) Turlov and (former FIDE President Arkady) Dvorkovich, and (FIDE Vice President Viswanathan) Anand want to return Russia. But they are being hindered by a group of 20-30 countries, mostly European,” Alburt told RIA Novosti.

The grandmaster believes that the position of Russian chess players in the international arena may change in the near future.

“The situation must change for the better for Russian chess players, and soon,” says Alburt.

The Russian Chess Federation was temporarily suspended from FIDE in June after the international federation found the requirements of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) ruling had not been met. In September, the FIDE General Assembly in Samarkand did not support the proposals of a number of national federations to restore Russian membership.

Timur Turlov, who was elected president of FIDE, spoke out for compliance with the CAS decision, while simultaneously expressing hope that the Russian federation will fulfill the necessary conditions for returning to the organization.