The Stateless Kings: How Chess preserves an ideal in a fractured world

Chess, a centuries-old game of simulated warfare, has stood the test of time as an instrument of global peace. Established in 1924, FIDE, chess's governing body, adopted its official motto, Gens una sumus (we are one family), in 1952. During a period of geopolitical upheavals and ideological iron curtains, chess has faced the recurring question of what happens to a family when its member nations tear each other apart.

When faced with political conflicts, sports globally often cancel athletes, shortening their pursuits. However, FIDE, guided by its motto, has let dissidents, defectors, protesters, and sanctioned players play under a neutral flag bearing the federation's logo. This path has evolved from an idealistic slogan to a guiding principle.

Viktor Korchnoi, in 1978, tested the limits of political exile by requesting asylum in the Netherlands. Initially apoplectic, the Soviet state demanded FIDE remove Korchnoi's name from grandmaster lists. However, FIDE's president, former World Champion Max Euwe, stood firm, granting Korchnoi the right to compete under the FIDE flag. Korchnoi earned his shot at challenging Anatoly Karpov for the World Championship by beating his opponents in the Candidates cycle.

In 2019, Alireza Firouzja, an Iranian prodigy, faced a mandatory boycott by his home federation. He registered for the World Rapid and Blitz Championship under the FIDE flag, securing a silver medal. In 2023, Nepomniachtchi played against China's Ding Liren under the blue FIDE flag, demonstrating how the neutral flag protects players from their birthplaces' geopolitics.

Chess players may be affected politically, as seen in Korchnoi's paranoia, Firouzja's exile, and Nepomniachtchi's opposition to the war in Ukraine. Nonetheless, Gens una sumus ensures every chess player remains an equal when the real world fractures. Under the FIDE flag, stateless does not mean helpless, but free to play.