Officials have ruled that the Russian chess team will remain banned from international competitions.
In a shock move, the general assembly of the International Chess Federation (Fide) in Budapest voted to maintain sanctions against Russia and its ally Belarus.
Both countries were expelled from the federation after Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.
Supporters of the move say chess in Russia is controlled by Vladimir Putin, with people including Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov sitting on the board that regulates the game in the country.
A majority of delegates in Budapest voted in favour of a move to start consultations with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on the possibility of lifting some restrictions on children and vulnerable groups.
However, the ban on the Russian national team, officials, flag and anthem in international competitions will remain in place.
The final decision now rests with the federation’s strategic body, the Fide Council, which is unlikely to overturn the vote.
Malcolm Pein, head of the British Chess Federation, told the BBC the result was a “disastrous defeat” for Russia.
“There is no doubt that many delegates are concerned about the consequences for the governing body’s relationship with the IOC if policy is different,” he said.
Sixty-six countries supported the move, with 41 opting for the third option – that all restrictions remain in place.
Only 21 countries voted to lift the sanctions. As well as Russia and Belarus, they included several former Soviet republics and other Russian allies in Africa and Asia.
The highly anticipated vote is seen as a test of the West’s resolve to maintain pressure on Russia across culture, sport and diplomacy.
Before the vote began, Ukraine urged deputies to reject the proposal to lift sanctions.
“This is a victory for Ukraine,” Viktor Kapustin of the Ukrainian Chess Federation told the BBC.
“This vote means that Russia does not have as much support as it thinks it has,” he added.
“Russia is an aggressor and an aggressor, and aggressors must be punished in all areas of life, including sports. It is important to maintain sanctions, or even strengthen them. So that they realize their crimes.”
Russia said politics should not interfere in chess and called on other representatives to vote to lift all sanctions.
Kyiv was supported by England, Scotland, Wales, the United States, France and many other Western countries. The IOC, with which Fide is affiliated, has also recommended that the organisation adhere to the Olympic body’s earlier decision that sanctions against Russia in sport remain in place.
Following Moscow’s full-scale invasion in 2022, Fide voted to ban the Russian national team and officials from tournaments.
In a separate move, a Fide commission imposed sanctions on the Chess Federation of Russia (CFR) last June, banning it from participating for two years for “discrediting chess” and violating the principles of the international body.
The court found that the Russian football federation had organised tournaments in areas of Ukraine illegally occupied by Russian forces and reprimanded the Russian president of Fide for his membership in the CFR board.
Earlier this month the ban was reduced to a fine of €45,000 (£37,700) and the reprimand was revoked, a move criticised by Ukraine and its allies.
Former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, both of whom are under international sanctions, are also CFR board members.
