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FIDE World Rapid & Blitz Championships will not be held in Kazakhstan in December

by Shahid Ahmed - 09/12/2021

Arguably one of the most exciting event of the year - FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships which was announced last month, to take place at the usual last week of December, now stands not to take place at that time. The reason behind is the COVID restrictions being enforced by the government of Kazakhstan. Since this event witnesses the participation of over 300 players from various countries across the globe, it seems to be a big challenge for FIDE to find a new place where it can host so many players with fewer restrictions and keeping safety in mind, so that maximum players can play. FIDE has mentioned publishing an update later this week. Photo: Lennart Ootes/FIDE

The FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Championships will not be held in Kazakhstan in December as originally planned.

Magnus Carlsen won the World Rapid and Blitz 2019 | Photo: Lennart Ootes/FIDE

The reason is the new COVID restrictions recently enforced by the government of Kazakhstan, which impose mandatory 7 days quarantine for many potential participants, making their participation impossible.

 

The list of countries affected by this measure has been expanding over the past few days.

 

The Government of Kazakhstan and the Kazakh Chess Federation regret the inconveniences caused by this cancellation, and they have expressed their willingness to hold the event next year.

 

FIDE is urgently examining alternative host cities, and will publish an update towards the end of the week.

 

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