Chess player Gunina will perform at the World Cup in a sweater with the image of a matryoshka doll

Russian chess player Valentina Gunina announced on December 26 that she would compete at the Rapid and Blitz World Championships in a sweater with a matryoshka doll image, since the use of national symbols at the tournament is prohibited.

"I came up with this idea, and my friend gave me this sweater. There is no Russian flag, but at least there will be a matryoshka doll. The International Chess Federation said that everything corresponds to the dress code," Gunina said in an interview with TASS.

Rapid competitions will be held in Doha from December 26 to 28, and blitz competitions on December 29 and 30. Russian chess players will play in a neutral status.

Russian chess players were banned from team tournaments in 2022 due to the events in Ukraine. In January 2025, FIDE allowed the participation of youth and Paralympic teams in a neutral status. Russian athletes competed under the FIDE flag at the 2025 World Team Championship and became the winners of the tournament. In individual competitions, Russians continue to play under the FIDE flag.

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Earlier, on December 12, it was reported that FIDE proposed to allow Russian chess players to participate in team competitions under the auspices of the organization in a neutral status. In addition, it was proposed to lift restrictions on holding FIDE tournaments in Belarus.

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