The International Chess Federation (FIDE) says it has banned Russia and Belarus from its official competitions "until further notice" in response to Moscow's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
FIDE said in a statement on March 16 that it made the move after taking into account a recommendation from the International Olympic Committee that international sports federations forbid the participation of Russian and Belarusian athletes and officials in international competitions because of Russia's war against Ukraine, launched on February 24.
FIDE said that Russian and Belarusian players would still be allowed to participate in individual tournaments of the FIDE World Championship cycle, but not under their own flags.
Instead they will participate under the FIDE flag with no designation of nationality.
There are currently three Russian men in the world top 20 chess rankings and six in the women's top 20 rankings.
