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Russian grandmaster Sergey Karjakin has been banned from competition for six months because of his support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
- Sergey Karjakin was born in Crimea and represented Ukraine until 2009 before switching his allegiances to Russia
- He can appeal the decision within 21 days, otherwise will miss the qualifying tournament for the chess World Cup
- Another Russian grandmaster also made pro-Russia comments but was not banned due to them being "less provocative"
The 32-year-old Karjakin, who challenged Magnus Carlsen for the world title in 2016, has defended his country's actions on social media in recent weeks, drawing intense criticism from the chess world.
The International Chess Federation (FIDE) said in a statement that Karjakin's comments about the invasion had been widely condemned.
"The statements by Sergey Karjakin on the ongoing military conflict in Ukraine have led to a considerable number of reactions on social media and elsewhere, to a large extent negative towards the opinions expressed," the statement read.
Karjakin has repeatedly made comments on social media claiming Ukraine is a fascist country whose military has attacked its own cities and citizens.
In response to the ban, Karjakin, who was born in Crimea and represented Ukraine until 2009, said: "An expected, but no less shameful decision by FIDE. All sports selections have been trampled, the basic principle that sport is out of politics has been trampled."
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The ban puts Karjakin's participation in the Candidates Tournament, which starts on June 16, in doubt. He can appeal against the decision within 21 days.
"I made the hardest selection through the World Cup in the Candidates Tournament. Winning that would have put me in a match for the world championship. Alas, FIDE embarrassed themselves, not me," Karjakin added on Telegram.
"And most importantly, first of all I am a patriot of my country and only second of all I am an athlete. If I thought back to the situation when I supported the president of Russia, the people and the army I would have done the same thing! I don't regret anything."
Another Russian grandmaster, Sergei Shipov, was not sanctioned for his pro-Russia comments because FIDE ruled they were of a "slightly different and less provocative character than the ones made by Karjakin".
FIDE earlier stripped hosts Moscow of the Chess Olympiad and FIDE Congress later this year and banned Russian and Belarusian players from competing in tournaments under their respective flags.
Reuters/ABC