FIDE urges Canada to expedite visas for chess players ahead of Candidates event

Five Indian players will take part in the tournament.

The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has expressed its concern over the delay in issuing visas to players who are set to compete in the prestigious Candidates event in Canada next month. The event will determine the challengers for the World Champion title in both the Open and Women’s Categories.

Canada will host one of the most important chess tournaments of the year from April 3-22 in Toronto, where five Indians, including two women players, will also present their challenge. Prodigy R Praggnanandhaa, Vidit Gujrathi, and Gukesh D have qualified, while R Vaishali and Koneru Humpy will compete in the women’s event.

However, FIDE has raised a red flag over the visa situation of the players, saying that there are “grave concerns” over their timely arrival to Toronto. In a letter addressed to the Canadian government, FIDE said that players from various countries worldwide, who submitted their visa applications a few months ago, have not yet received any updates on their status.

Urgent visa appeal to the Canadian Government regarding the FIDE Candidates TournamentThe most prestigious tournament in the chess world, the FIDE Candidates, which will determine the challengers for the World Champion title in both the Open and Women’s Categories, is set to… pic.twitter.com/uZSDuomkNX

— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) March 1, 2024

“With only a month remaining till the FIDE Candidates Tournament, there are grave concerns about the timely arrival of the players to Toronto. Recognizing the popularity of the game in the country, and its growing role in the chess world, we kindly ask the Canadian Government for support in urgently addressing this matter. “Ensuring the safe and timely arrival of players is crucial for the success and integrity of the FIDE Candidates Tournament and for promoting Canada as a host of the most important chess tournament of the year, which will be followed by millions of spectators worldwide,” the letter read.

It is worth noting that none of the Indian players has received a Visa so far.

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Coming to the tournament, it offers a chance to have a crack at Ding Liren and Ju Wenjin Wenjun who both holds men as well as women’s title. Ding became the 17th world chess champion by defeating Ian Nepomniachtchi, who hails from Russia, in a close contest in Astana, Kazakhstan last year. Ju Wenjin won womens title 2023, she won her fourth title by defeating Lei Tingjie in the final game with a score of 6.5-5.5

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