"FIDE vs. Freestyle, Handshake Controversy at Tata steel and Improvement Tips”
4th Week of 2025
This week’s newsletter brings you exciting updates:
Handshake Controversy at Tata Steel
Emil Sutovsky vs Jan Buettner
GM Gata Kamsky on his childhood
Tata Steel Standings after Round 10
Recommendation for chess improvement, and much more.
📰 Chess News & Stories
#1. Handshake Controversy at Tata Steel: GMYakubboev and WGM R Vaishali
A handshake refusal at the Tata Steel Chess Tournament has sparked heated debates in the chess community. Uzbek GM Nodirbek Yakubboev declined to shake hands with Indian WGM R Vaishali before their fourth-round game, citing religious reasons. The incident, captured on video, quickly went viral, leading to widespread criticism and accusations of discrimination.
Following the backlash, Yakubboev issued a statement on X,
“Dear chess friends, I want to explain the situation that happened in the game with Vaishali. With all due respect to women and Indian chess players, I want to inform everyone that I do not touch other women for religious reasons”
The controversy deepened as fans pointed out inconsistencies, alleging that Yakubboev had previously shaken hands with female opponents. However, the Uzbek GM defended his stance, stating that he had informed Romanian GM Irina Bulmaga in advance of his beliefs to avoid a similar misunderstanding.
The arbiters at the event suggested Yakubboev use a "Namaste" gesture as an alternative, but he admitted that he had not communicated his stance to Vaishali before the game, leading to the awkward moment.
#2. The Battle for Chess Supremacy: FIDE vs. Freestyle Chess continue to escalate
The Freestyle Grand Slam Chess Tour is set to kick off its first event of the year in Germany next month, but tensions between its promoter, Jan Buettner, GM Magnus Carlsen, and FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky continue to escalate. In an open letter, Buettner accused FIDE of obstructing Freestyle Chess for monetary gain and asserted that the governing body does not have exclusive rights over the term "World championship."
FIDE has remained firm in its stance, stating that it holds the sole authority over world championships in chess. Buettner clarified that the Freestyle Grand Slam Chess Tour does not seek to replace FIDE’s championship cycle but rather to crown a champion in its unique format, which currently revolves around Chess960 but may evolve further.
Jan Henric Buettner on FIDE's statement, “You cannot abuse a dominating market position and blackmail people. That's against the law.”
Buettner also alleged that FIDE had taken a confrontational stance toward Freestyle Chess, ignoring attempts at collaboration and rejecting a $100,000 goodwill payment while demanding an exorbitant $500,000 instead. He emphasized that Freestyle Chess aims for cooperation rather than conflict, offering a revised $50,000 contribution to ensure players are not disturbed by FIDE’s interventions.
Sutovsky posted on X, noting, "We’d love to work with any private project – in particular with ambitious ones. But if you want a war – try us.”
Sutovsky responded fiercely, accusing Freestyle Chess of exploiting the publicity and financial backing of classical chess to push its own agenda. He questioned the motives behind Freestyle Chess’s aggressive approach, stating that money appeared to be the primary driver of the project. Sutovsky warned that if Freestyle Chess wanted a battle, FIDE was prepared to fight back.
Magnus Carlsen on X after the open letter, "Strive for greatness @FIDE_chess"
With six of the world’s top ten players expected to participate in the upcoming Freestyle event in Weissenhaus, Germany, next month, the chess world is bracing for a showdown both on and off the board.
#3. GM Gata Kamsky Opens Up: A Childhood of Sacrifice and Struggle
GM Gata Kamsky has shared a deeply personal and harrowing account of his childhood in an interview on Youtube in Russian with Ilya Levitov. Speaking candidly, Kamsky detailed the immense pressure and abuse he endured under his father, Rustam Kamsky, who forced him into a life of chess against his will.
“I wanted to live the life of a normal kid. My father forced me to play chess, and he threatened me. I did what I could, I was on my own.” — GM Gata Kamsky.
Kamsky recounted how his father, a former boxer and ex-convict, initially envisioned him as a musical prodigy before pivoting to chess after seeing GM Garry Kasparov in the newspaper. With no prior knowledge of the game, Kamsky was thrust into rigorous training, sacrificing a normal childhood for his father’s ambitions.
The interview delved into painful memories, including frequent physical abuse and isolation from other children. Kamsky found solace in books but had little control over his own life. He recalled a pivotal moment when his father, struggling with alcoholism, initially sought his help to quit drinking but later punished him for intervening.
Kamsky’s story echoes that of 18-year-old World Rapid Champion Volodar Murzin, who recently revealed his own experiences with an abusive father. These revelations have sparked discussions about the hidden struggles behind the success of many chess prodigies.
Despite his tumultuous past, Kamsky has built a successful life outside of chess, earning a law degree and settling in France with his wife, WGM Vera Nebolsina. His story serves as both a cautionary tale and an inspiration, shedding light on the sacrifices made by young talents in the pursuit of greatness.
#4. FIDE Eases Ban On Russian, Belarusian Youth & Disabled Teams
Russian and Belarusian teams can now compete in youth and disabled events under a neutral flag, FIDE announced. Previously, only individuals could participate as neutrals, while teams remained banned. National symbols will still not be allowed.
The decision follows a proposal by FIDE Deputy President GM Viswanathan Anand at the September General Assembly, advocating for "vulnerable groups" like children and disabled players. After consulting the International Olympic Committee (IOC), FIDE confirmed the move aligns with IOC recommendations.
Anand stated that the decision balances inclusivity with responsibility. The Russian Chess Federation welcomed the move, calling it a "first step" toward full reinstatement.
FIDE had banned Russian and Belarusian teams in March 2022 following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. While Russia successfully appealed most sanctions, FIDE upheld a €45,000 fine for recognizing occupied Ukrainian territories as part of the Russian Chess Federation's territory.
#5. Standings after Round 9 of Tata Steel Masters 2025
🎯 Chess Improvement and Tips
Common Problem: Many chess players, regardless of their level, struggle to organize their calculation process. They often don’t know which variations to focus on deeply or when to stop calculating.
Solution: In a previous newsletter, I recommended a stream by WGM Anna Muzychuk on ChessBase India Youtube channel. That was my first time watching Anna explain her thought process, and I instantly became a fan of the simplicity with which she conveyed her ideas. This particular stream below, available on her YouTube channel, is another gem for chess improvement. In the stream, Anna tackles a Puzzle Rush on Chess.com and patiently (unlike Hikaru 😅) explains her thought process in detail, which makes this video suitable for all level of players. I have watched this a million times—when I’m not doing well in chess, and once I finish my newsletter, I’ll watch it again.
#Tweet of the week by dingchilling :
That’s all for this week. Thank you.
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