Russian world champion refuses to play for Russian Federation, accepting citizenship of an 'unfriendly country'

Famous Russian grandmaster Nikita Vitiugov will play for the English national team, which is among the "unfriendly countries". The updated card of the 36-year-old athlete appeared on the website of the International Chess Federation (FIDE).

The winner of the World Team Championships with Team Russia (2010, 2013) and the champion of Russia 2021 will soon receive a new sporting citizenship.

Nikita Vitiugov is ranked 25th in the FIDE rating. He became the highest-rated Russian chess player to renounce the RF.

Vitiugov came to chess at the age of five. Nikita was first shown chess by his grandfather, who played as a first-rate chess player. He also took an active part in his further destiny. Vitiugov became a candidate master at the age of 10, studying under Alexey Yuneev.

The next chess peak was conquered by the St. Petersburg resident at the age of 18: Nikita was awarded the title of International Master. A year later he fulfills all grandmaster standards and receives the highest chess rank.

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