Chess moves into Asia
The Russian Chess Federation (RCF) has joined the Asian Chess Federation (ACF), a change confirmed after delegates voted in favor during the ACF General Assembly.
The General Assembly is taking place in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. In the vote, 29 delegates supported the move for the RCF to join the ACF, with six abstentions and one vote against.
Earlier in the year, on April 14, the supervisory board of the Russian Chess Federation decided to leave the European Chess Union and align with Asia. Following that, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) Council approved the transition on February 22, enabling the legal shift to proceed.
Officials note that the transition will not be instantaneous. Russian players will still be eligible to compete in the European Championship, which began on March 3 in Vrnjachka Banya, Serbia.
FSR Chair Andrey Filatov stated that legally the RCF would enter the ACF on May 1 and would immediately join Asian competitions. He also expressed a desire to perform well at the European Championship, hoping for a strong showing there as well, according to reports from TASS.
first reaction
The chess world reacted quickly to the announcement.
FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich, cited by TASS, highlighted that Russia can contribute to chess development and noted that Russian players will have increased scheduling flexibility to participate in continental championships during this challenging period. The sentiment was that the move represents a mutual decision within the chess community and that the broader family of players should stay cohesive and resilient.
Dmitry Peskov, the press secretary for Russia’s president, offered a positive take, describing the development as good news that could open doors for Russian participation in global events.
this is the first call
Commentary from social outlets covered a range of perspectives. A Duma deputy and leader in the Moscow Region Chess Federation emphasized that while the move creates tougher competition from teams like India and China, it also presents new opportunities for Russian players to compete widely and engage with Asian championships. The deputy stressed readiness and anticipated benefits, including a more dynamic schedule and new incentives for athletes.
Another key voice, Sergey Smagin, deputy head of the Moscow Region Chess Federation, argued that the decision aligns with the realities of the sport. He noted that athletes at all levels should be able to participate without restrictions in official and sponsored Asian events. Smagin also acknowledged potential early logistic hurdles but expressed confidence that these challenges could be overcome with advance planning. He suggested that even the cost of travel to distant Asian venues could become closer to European levels with proper management.
State Duma deputy and chair of the physical culture and sports committee Dmitry Svishchev offered a cautious but hopeful assessment. He described the move as a meaningful signal for other federations to study the transition process and observe how Russian chess evolves in Asia. He also highlighted the importance of investing in training and competition to support players as they adjust to a new competitive landscape. Svishchev noted that the long term impact would reveal itself over time and would vary by sport and context. He reminded readers that selecting a path toward the world’s top events remains a strategic decision, with implications for young athletes pursuing ongoing development in chess.
In closing, the discussion pointed to Asia as a historic cradle of chess talent, with nations such as China, India, and others consistently producing top masters. The debate also touched on the broader implications for eligibility in global competitions and the evolving stance of Olympic bodies as international federations assess the future of Russian participation under different continental banners.