A Journey to Samarkand

The Lviv Regional Chess Federation announced the expulsion from its membership of Anna Olehivna Muzychuk and Mariya Olehivna Muzychuk (pictured above, courtesy of Ayuntamiento de Torrelavega) since they refused to sign an open letter addressed to the Ukrainian Chess Federation pleading for the unconditional exclusion of all Belarusian and Russian people from all levels of participation and from all posts in FIDE and all its subsidiary bodies and chess-related activities. The letter also pleaded for the immediate dismissal of Arkady Vladimirovich Dvorkovich from FIDE Presidency on the basis of his contiguity to Russian high politics. “Members of the Presidium, famous chess Grandmasters Anna Olehivna Muzyichuk and Mariya Olehivna Muzychuk did not sign nor support this letter. In this regard, and in accordance with the decision of the Presidium of April 4, 2022, the Lviv Regional Chess Federation terminates cooperation with them and starts the procedure of their expulsion from the Presidium and membership in the Federation”, Deputy President of the Lviv Regional Chess Federation Nazar Bogdanovich Firman said. It should be noted that Muzychuk sisters, who had to fled the country after the outbreak of the war, are concretely engaged in constant fundraising and humanitarian efforts to help their countrypeople. Next Monday, April 11, 2022 from 6 to 11 P.M., in collaboration with El Secreto de la Filantropía Foundation and the chess community in Valencia, they will hold a charity gala at Mercado de Colón (Columbus Market). The day’s program will consist of a 50-board simultaneous exhibition (25 boards for each sister) and a final “solidarity dinner” given by chef Ricard Camarena at his BAR X. For further details and information, click here.