Former women's world chess champion Alexandra Kosteniuk, who holds dual Russian-Swiss citizenship, will compete on Switzerland's female grandmasters' team as of January 1, 2024, the Swiss Chess Federation said in a statement on January 3. According to the statement, Kosteniuk will play for the country's male grandmasters' team as well, "if need be." Kosteniuk stopped representing Russia after her country launched its unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in February last year. She currently is playing under the flag of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), the statement says. To read the original story from RFE/RL's Russian Service, click here.
Russian Chess Champion Alexandra Kosteniuk To Represent Switzerland
Chess grandmaster Alexandra Kosteniuk (file photo)