FIDE accused of bias against Russia as GM Lagno withdraws from Indian tournament, gets fact-checked by fellow players

Russian Grandmaster Kateryna Lagno has withdrawn from the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix India 2025 in Pune, alleging bias against her nationality by the International Chess Federation, FIDE. However, her fellow players have challenged her claims.

Russian chess grandmaster Kateryna Lagno has accused the International Chess Federation, FIDE, of bias against her nationality, leading to her decision to withdraw from the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix India 2025 in Pune.

FIDE had earlier claimed that Lagno along with International Master Sara Khadem of Spain pulled out from the chess tournament in India due to “personal reasons,” however, the former has now debunked the explanation.

In a letter written to FIDE president Arkady Dvorkovich and published on Facebook by Lagno’s friend and International Master Lilit Mkrtchian of Armenia, the Russian GM said that she had been insulted and humiliated by the jury at the 2025 FIDE Women’s Grand Prix in Monaco as they did not present her the prize for the most beautiful game.

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