Russia won’t boycott Chess Olympiad in Istanbul

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Head of the Management Board of the Russian Chess Federation said that boycotting Olympiad in Istanbul isn’t a right method for solving problems.

As Ilya Levitov said in an interview to Chess-News, “it’s necessary to achieve the right solution in a constructive way, rather than by boycotting the Olympiad. To write a letter and meet with Yazic; talk to him, understand his motivation and position, and try to change his stance".

Earlier, Turkish Chess Federation President Ali Nihat Yazici banned the arbiters from seven chess federations from working at the Olympiad. According to some reports, the affected federations may fully boycott the main team event of the year, which will be held in Istanbul from the end of August until the beginning of September.

On June 25, the main organizer of the Olympiad and the President of the Turkish Chess Federation announced a decision to resign FIDE Vice-President’s post, Chess-News said.