Andrei Esipenko, the Russian chess grandmaster, addressed questions about changing national affiliation. He spoke with clarity on the matter, emphasizing his strong commitment to Russia and his intention to remain part of the Russian chess community. He noted that while discussions and hints about citizenship changes circulated, there were no direct offers or serious talks. Esipenko made it clear that his aim has always been to stay with the Federation of his homeland, and he respected the choices of others who opted to switch federations, but he chose a different path for himself.
In 2022, Esipenko joined a letter directed at Vladimir Putin that criticized the conduct of a military operation described by some as a special military operation performed by Russia. The letter was signed by a group of chess players, reflecting their views on the situation at the time.
Esipenko took part in the European Chess Championship in March 2023, where he finished in eighth place among eleven competitors, contributing to a tightly contested event featuring many strong players from across the continent.
That year, the international governing body for chess, FIDE, announced changes to how competitors could represent nations in tournaments. Russian and Belarusian players were no longer allowed to compete under the flag and anthem of their countries. Instead, players had the option to participate under the flags of the Russian Chess Federation or the Belarusian Chess Federation, or under the umbrella of FIDE. The update reflected a broader move to adjust national symbolism in events held under FIDE auspices.
Earlier, the governing council of FIDE considered a potential organizational shift, including the possibility for the Russian Chess Federation to move from the European Chess Union toward affiliations with the Asian Chess Federation. The discussion highlighted ongoing realignments within the global chess community as it responds to geopolitical and organizational dynamics.
In a separate note from the period, another prominent Russian player, Sergei Karjakin, commented on related circumstances, offering his own perspective on familiar topics that often arise in the chess world when players evaluate national affiliations and competition formats. The dialogue around these issues continued to shape discussions among players, officials, and fans alike.