FIDE lifts restrictions on Belarusian chess players

The Council of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) has decided to lift all previously imposed restrictions on the Belarusian Chess Federation, BelTA learned from the federation’s press service.

The decision follows the recommendations of the Executive Board of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) issued on 7 May 2026. As a result, Belarusian players and teams will be able to compete in FIDE events under the national flag.

The first major FIDE tournaments where Belarusians will compete with their national symbols will be the FIDE Chess Olympiad 2026 and the FIDE Chess Olympiad for People with Disabilities 2026. Both events will take place in Uzbekistan in September 2026.