Karjakin, who said that Russia is "nobly fighting" in Ukraine, complained about the negative attitude towards Russians in Europe

Former world rapid chess champion Sergey Karjakin, who renounced his Ukrainian citizenship in 2016 and took Russian citizenship, complained about the "negative attitude towards those who support Russia" in Europe. The grandmaster noted that for this reason he would not be able to participate in international tournaments.

Karjakin said this in an interview with Komsomolskaya Pravda. The native of Simferopol, who was disqualified for six months for supporting the war in Ukraine, criticised the International Chess Federation (FIDE) for banning Russian symbols.

"They disqualified me for six months, and now it's nonsense to compete under their flag. I want to play under the Russian flag. Yes, and I'll add that there are unofficial competitions, but I think the way is closed for me to play in unofficial tournaments in Europe in the coming years. Because in Europe, unfortunately, they have a negative attitude towards those who support their country. I mean, those who support Russia, and even though I've been playing there for decades, I think I won't be called back soon," Karjakin said.

Earlier, FIDE Director General Emil Sutovsky spoke harshly of Sergey Karjakin, saying that he had "become a patriot" of Russia. Recall that the chess player fiercely supports the war in Ukraine and is a fan of dictator Vladimir Putin. Karjakin admired how "nobly Russia fights without killing civilians".

As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, Chinese grandmaster Ding Liren defeated Russian Ian Nepomniachtchi, against whom Sergey Karjakin had written a denunciation for condemning the war in Ukraine, and became the 2023 World Chess Champion.

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