GM Sergey Karjakin, a former challenger for the sector chess championship identify, has been sanctioned by way of the Ecu Union (EU) for his persisted make stronger of Russia’s struggle of aggression in Ukraine.
The EU’s new measures have been introduced at the 3rd anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of its neighboring nation on Monday, with a complete of 48 people and 35 entities topic to restrictions, asset freezes, and shuttle bans.
“There’s no doubt about who the aggressor is, who will have to pay and be held in command of this struggle. Each and every sanction package deal deprives the Kremlin of finances to salary struggle,” the EU’s most sensible diplomat, Kaja Kallas, mentioned in a observation.
Amongst the ones added to the sanctions checklist is Karjakin, the once-celebrated International Speedy and Blitz Chess Champion and International Chess Championship Challenger, who would lately be ranked thirteenth on the earth if he wasn’t indexed as inactive for no longer enjoying a FIDE-rated classical recreation within the remaining yr.
The EU describes Karjakin as “a Senator of the Russian Federation Council, representing illegally annexed Crimea since 12 September 2024,” and likewise, erroneously, as a “former chess Grandmaster.” It notes he’s “supporting and enforcing movements or insurance policies which undermine and threaten the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine.”
The Ecu Union indexed Karjakin a number of the folks sanctioned on February 24, 2025.
In 2022, Karjakin used to be issued a six-month ban by way of the Global Chess Federation (FIDE)’s Ethics & Disciplinary Fee from collaborating in FIDE-rated chess competitions because of his pro-war stance. The ban resulted in his exclusion from the 2022 FIDE Applicants Match, for which he had certified.
As of late, the grandmaster is underneath no restrictions by way of FIDE, however is regarded as personality non grata by way of many chess organizers because of his involvement with the Kremlin. He has additionally mentioned that he’s no longer keen to simply accept competing underneath a impartial flag, a demand by way of FIDE for Russian athletes.
As an alternative, his fierce make stronger of Russian President Vladimir Putin has propelled his political profession. In 2022, he used to be awarded the Russian Federation’s medal “For Advantage to the Native land,” and in September 2024 used to be elected as a Russian Senator representing annexed Crimea.
The EU sanctions spotlight Karjakin’s function in actively supporting Russia’s struggle efforts, together with his visits to occupied Ukrainian territories, his coordination of army help for Russian forces, and his public statements backing the invasion.
That is Sergey Karjakin, a Russian chess grandmaster and 2015 Chess International Cup winner, playing the perspectives of destroyed Avdiivka. Sports activities above politics, certainly. %.twitter.com/si6wcJht2a
— UNITED24 Media (@United24media) March 1, 2024
Karjakin used to be fast to answer the sanctions on his Telegram channel: “For any such critical ‘crime’ I will have to have my belongings within the EU frozen (which, by way of the way in which, I do not need and not had) and a shuttle ban. Very unhappy. Unhappy that they did not come with me previous. I’m satisfied to paintings for the good thing about my nation and its folks!”
As identified by way of German chess blogger Conrad Schormann, the chess grandmaster is joined by way of Olympic gymnastics champion Nikita Nagornyy at the sanctions checklist. The EU mentioned that the 28-year-old gymnast, who used to be in the past sanctioned by way of Canada and the U.S., aided within the mass deportation of Ukrainian kids to Russia and serves as a propaganda determine for the Kremlin.