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First Post
11-05-2025
- Sport
- First Post
American grandmaster suspended again after fresh harassment allegation, investigation underway
An American grandmaster has been suspended by FIDE over allegations of harassment by a female player. The grandmaster was already facing disciplinary action due to his earlier misconduct and has now made headlines for a fresh case. read more American chess grandmaster Christopher Yoo has been provisionally suspended by the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission (EDC) following a new harassment complaint. The 60-day suspension, which began on 9 May 2025, comes after a female player accused Yoo of misconduct during the Grenke Open tournament. FIDE on Saturday issued a statement saying that the EDC has imposed a temporary suspension keeping in mind the serious nature of the complaint. Yoo under investigation again 'The suspension stems from two separate complaints alleging violations of the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Code. Case 5/2025 (A), filed by the United States Chess Federation (USCF), and an additional recent complaint – whose details and complainant remain confidential due to the sensitive nature of the allegations – are both under investigation by the EDC.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD ❗️GM Christopher Yoo Temporarily Suspended by FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission❗️ The FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission (EDC) has announced a provisional 60-day suspension of Grandmaster Christopher Yoo, effective from May 9, 2025. This action follows the submission… — International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) May 9, 2025 This isn't the first time Yoo has faced disciplinary action. In November 2024, the United States Chess Federation (USCF) banned him for one year after an outburst during the US Chess Championship. Yoo had stormed out of the playing hall after a loss, destroyed his scoresheet, and reportedly struck a videographer. Following the incident, he was expelled from the tournament and banned from the Saint Louis Chess Club. Local police also filed a fourth-degree charge against him. The USCF added a five-year probation on top of the one-year suspension, lasting until 14 November 2030. However, the latest case has put him in more trouble. Despite the US ban, Yoo recently played and won at the Sardinia World Chess Festival in Italy. International Arbiter Chris Bird pointed out the contradiction, questioning how Yoo was allowed to participate in a FIDE-rated event while under suspension. He said both FIDE and USCF had earlier agreed that the ban should apply globally. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Yoo secured a dominant victory at the Sardinia Chess Festival 2025, finishing with 7.5 points out of 9. Yoo remained undefeated throughout the event. He finished ahead of Ukrainian GM Ihor Samunenkov and Italian GM Lorenzo Lodici, who both shared second place with 7 points each. Both complaints are still under review by the EDC, and the details of the most recent one are being kept private due to the sensitive nature of the allegations.
Indian Express
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Alleged harassment case led to suspension of American GM Christopher Yoo by FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission
After being banned for one year by the US Chess Federation in 2024, the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission (EDC) provisionally suspended American Grandmaster Christopher Yoo for 60 days on Saturday, effective from Friday. May 9, 2025. FIDE said that their action followed after the submission of a second complaint alleging harassment, currently under preliminary review. According to a report by HT, the complainant was harassed by Yoo during the recently concluded Grenke Open. The female player filed a complaint, which resulted in the ban. According to FIDE, 'The suspension stems from two separate complaints alleging violations of the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Code. Case 5/2025 (A), filed by the United States Chess Federation (USCF), and an additional recent complaint – whose details and complainant remain confidential due to the sensitive nature of the allegations – are both under investigation by the EDC.' ❗️GM Christopher Yoo Temporarily Suspended by FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission❗️ The FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission (EDC) has announced a provisional 60-day suspension of Grandmaster Christopher Yoo, effective from May 9, 2025. This action follows the submission… — International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) May 9, 2025 In November 2024, the US Chess Federation imposed a one-year ban prohibiting Yoo from participating in tournaments under the auspices of USCF. The ban from USCF happened during the 2024 US Chess Championship. After losing his fifth-round match, Yoo reportedly destroyed his scoresheet before storming out of the playing hall, 'and struck a videographer from behind'. The Saint Louis chess club and the organisers of the US Championship did not approve of the reaction of Yoo and expelled him from the US Championship. Yoo is banned from the Saint Louis Chess Club and suspended from the US Chess Federation, with 4th-degree charges by the Saint Louis police. The sanction from USCF also includes a five-year probationary period extending through November 14, 2030. Yoo recently played at the Sardinia World Chess Festival in Italy and eventually won the event as well. But his participation was questioned by International Arbiter Chris Bird, who noted that there must be a mistake in the communication between the US Chess Federation and the FIDE Ethics Commission, as Yoo was playing a FIDE-rated event in Europe. IA Chris Bird said, 'I see GM Christopher Yoo is now playing FIDE rated chess in Sardinia. This is 7 months before his 1 year US Chess Federation suspension is due to expire! Both US Chess and FIDE Ethics had previously agreed to extend this imposed sanction to have a worldwide effect, but apparently that didn't happen. At the moment it is unclear who dropped the ball on this. I have contacted both but so far with no response, so it seems they are both currently fine with him not playing in the USA, but fine for him to be a potential safe play risk anywhere else in the world.' I see GM Yoo is now playing FIDE rated chess in Sardinia. This is 7 months before his 1 year @USChess suspension is due to expire! Both US Chess and FIDE Ethics had previously agreed to extend this imposed sanction to have a worldwide effect, but apparently that didn't happen 🤦♂️ — Chris Bird (@ChrisBirdIA) April 28, 2025 After the recent harassment case, FIDE said that the USCF formally submitted a request to FIDE to recognise and globally enforce the ban. According to the International Chess body, 'Given the gravity of the allegations and the ongoing proceedings, the Chair of the EDC has enacted a temporary suspension of GM Yoo to safeguard the integrity of the investigative process. Both GM Yoo and the USCF have been formally notified of this decision.' The suspension may be extended if a final resolution is not reached within the initial 60-day period.
Hindustan Times
10-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Fide suspends US GM Christopher Yoo after woman player accuses him of harassment
Bengaluru: Months after being handed a one-year domestic ban from competition by the US Chess Federation for assaulting a female videographer, 18-year-old American Grandmaster Christopher Yoo has been placed under a provisional 60-day suspension by the Fide Ethics and Disciplinary Commission following a recent harassment complaint filed by a female player. The player in question spoke to HT about the incidents that led her to file complaints with the US federation and Fide. HT is in possession of a copy of the formal complaint as well as screenshots of a conversation between the complainant and Yoo, who is the junior world No.14. 'It started after the Grenke Open (held in April), at a party where there were several players, including Christopher,' the female player told HT. 'We met there. He asked us for some group pictures. We accepted. During the party, I found his behaviour uncomfortable. The day after, he messaged me, so I blocked him on social media. At the Sardinia World Chess Festival (April 26-May 4), while I was having lunch with friends at the hotel restaurant, he approached us out of nowhere, spoke to us uninvited, and suddenly caught my hand while I was eating.' 'On Saturday, May 3, after lunch, he followed my friends and me to our room area. I went into my room and shut the door. He stayed outside, knocking several times and even said 'housekeeping' through the door. He stayed there for 10 minutes before leaving. He also touched my shoulder on another occasion. None of this was welcome or appropriate. My friends repeatedly asked him to leave us alone, but he didn't stop.' The complainant also said that Yoo berated her, remarking that he doesn't respect players who are lower rated: 'Your brain doesn't know how to move the knight.' Yoo later apologised to the player for following her and knocking on her hotel room door, admitting his behaviour was 'over the line'. She called herself 'lucky' to have been surrounded by friends throughout the tournament and shuddered to think what might have happened if she had been alone. 'At a certain point, I couldn't walk around the resort on my own without fear of running into him.' Women in chess have long suffered from predatory behaviour, and this incident once again highlights the issue of their safety in the sport. 'I was 11 when I was harassed for the first time,' the female complainant said. 'It was my chess trainer. I didn't realise what was happening or its gravity until I was a young teen or adult.' Calling Yoo's behaviour 'dangerous', the complainant welcomed Fide's decision. 'It's great that they have taken the complaint seriously. I think temporary bans are quite rare.' The player's account was corroborated to HT by an International Master who was with the complainant, along with a few other friends, at the Sardinia tournament. 'I was there and I saw how uncomfortable Christopher made her feel, and the sort of pressure he was putting on her – like touching her and following her to her room,' said the IM. 'At one point, he joined us at the bar where some of us (including the complainant) were having a drink. We asked him to leave because we were not comfortable with his behaviour towards her, but he just refused.' Yoo won the tournament with an impressive 7.5/9 and a 2753 performance rating, crossing 2600 Elo for the second time. Fide said Yoo's suspension 'stems from two separate complaints alleging violations of the Fide Ethics and Disciplinary Code: Case 5/2025 (A), filed by the United States Chess Federation (USCF), and an additional recent complaint,' which is under investigation by the EDC. On November 14, 2024, the US Chess Federation imposed a one-year ban on Yoo, prohibiting him from participating in any tournaments under its auspices. The sanction also included a five-year probationary period extending through November 14, 2030. 'Under Article 26.12 of the Fide Charter, national sanctions may be extended internationally if a member federation requests it and if the decision complies with fundamental legal principles and fair trial standards. In line with this, the USCF formally submitted a request for Fide to recognize and globally enforce its ban, pursuant to Article 4.15 of the Fide Ethics Code. This request remains under investigation.' 'Both GM Yoo and the USCF have been formally notified of this decision. The suspension may be extended if a final resolution is not reached within the initial 60-day period.'
Indian Express
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Hans Niemann calls out Hikaru Nakamura for wearing headphones during prize money events: ‘Competitive advantage, double standards'
USA Grandmaster Hans Niemann questioned compatriot Hikaru Nakamura's integrity for wearing headphones during prize money tournaments. Apart from playing competitive chess, Nakamura is also a famous chess streamer with his subscriber count reaching millions. Taking a dig at Nakamura, Niemann called out the World No. 2, saying Nakamura is getting an unfair 'competitive advantage and double standard for the chess mafia's brand ambassadors'. A controversial figure in the chess world, Niemann has never shied away from expressing his opinions, nor has he remained out of the spotlight for long. He took to X (formerly Twitter), venting out his frustration by saying, 'Why is Hikaru allowed to wear HEADPHONES during prize money tournaments while others aren't. Clear competitive advantage and double standard for the chess mafia's brand ambassadors.' Why is Hikaru allowed to wear HEADPHONES during prize money tournaments while others aren't. Clear competetive advantage and double standard for the chess mafia's brand ambassadors. — Hans Niemann (@HansMokeNiemann) May 2, 2025 Niemann previously cited Magnus Carlsen and Nakamura as part of the chess mafia, lobbying against him. In the following post, he wrote, 'In any real sport, giving a competitive edge to someone you're financially invested in would spark a scandal. In chess, it's business as usual. Silence reigns when power is centralised and accountability is absent. Monopolies don't last forever, alternatives always appear.' Earlier, Niemann was back in action at the Grenke Open last month after his mysterious last-minute pull-out from the Paris leg of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour. Niemann was supposed to play at the Paris event of the Freestyle Chess Grand Slam Tour, but had withdrawn without offering an explanation just two days before the event started. The organisers had found a last-minute replacement in Nodirbek Abdusattorov. Jan Henric Buettner, who is the force behind the Freestyle Chess Tour, had told the Take Take Take app that Niemann had refused to respond to his texts or emails and instead opted to write an email to another member of the organising committee to announce his withdrawal due to 'personal reasons' without explaining anything.
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Chess without stress: Mantra of GM Shyam's school
CHENNAI: In a city that's producing chess prodigies and record-breakers at a dizzying speed and with parents rushing to turn their children into the next Gukesh or Pragg, coach Shyam Sundar, a Grandmaster is choosing a quieter revolution. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Rather than bowing to the pressure of creating champions, the Chennai coach has built his academy – Chess Thulir (meaning 'a young leaf') – as a space where young players can learn to love the game without the weight of expectations. And, in an era where chess can be learned and played from anywhere, thanks to the convenience of online platforms, Shyam saw the importance of offering something more. 'I've been training a lot of students online for over a decade, but it was during the pandemic (2021 to be precise) that I realised the true need for offline training,' Shyam told TOI. With the rise of AI and digital technology, chess is becoming more of a computer-based sport, and Shyam understood the toll it was taking. 'Players rarely even step outside or go out in the sun anymore. And some of the kids are either pampered or kept in a strictly controlled environment. When they come to the academy, I want them to be completely free from any stress. 'Seven hours (10am to 5pm) are dedicated to chess, but after that, we play cricket or badminton for two hours. More often, they look forward to the second half of the day. It's a chance for them to enjoy a game without pressure. What's hurting to see is that some kids, due to parental pressure and fierce competition, don't even talk to each other. That's not the case at my academy, I want my players to have the helping mentality and bond well. Chess should be fun, not a race to break records,' said Shyam, who was the coach of the Indian team at the 2023 FIDE World Cup. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Building an academy in Chennai which is a home to some of the best-established training institutions in the country was never going to be easy. And the challenges didn't end with physical and logistical hurdles; Shyam also had to navigate a landscape filled with competition, misleading promises, and difficult dynamics. 'At times, some of my students couldn't even mention my name as their trainer due to various factors. This kept happening every now and then. They could be training with other coaches…I really have no idea. Also, a few people had come forward to sponsor the academy and some students here, but it hasn't materialised till now. It's painful,' said Shyam, who is currently training over 50 students at his academy in Perambur. The fruits of Shyam's dedication are slowly starting to show as his students edge closer to elite status. Last week, S Aswath earned his maiden GM norm at the Grenke Open, while M Anees became an IM (International Master) at the same event. In March, V Pranav, whom Shyam has been training for the past 18 months, was crowned World Junior Champion. It's not just local talent either; players from Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Kashmir, including the region's only IM, Soham, have come to Chennai to train under him. 'It is tough, but you learn to keep going, especially when you see your students succeed. I have a larger goal, and because of it, I'm accepting these kinds of setbacks and focusing on the bigger picture. We have world-class level players and it will show. Because of some negative incidents, I can't let my good ones be overshadowed,' said the 32-year-old coach.
