English Chess Forum

The Sardinia World Open took place Sun 27th Apr to Sat 3rd May 2025 in OroseiI, Italy. The event was controversially won by Christopher Woojin Yoo with 7.5/9 half a point clear of Ihor Samunenkov and Lorenzo Lodici. Back in October 2024 Yoo was expelled from the US Chess Championships after he assaulted a woman following a loss of a game of chess he found distressing. Yoo was banned for a year from US chess and that ban was supposed to be extended to being a worldwide one via FIDE, the international chess federation. The best I can understand the situation is this, the US Chess Federation took many months to apply for this worldwide ban extension and it is only now under consideration by FIDE, now with Yoo now having played, this is a little awkward to say the least.

Mick Norris wrote: ↑

Mon May 12, 2025 9:19 am

I was surprised he played in, and won, the Sardinia World Chess Festival 2025 recently

Roger de Coverly wrote: ↑

Mon May 12, 2025 9:26 am

https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/o ... 59231.html

GM Christopher Yoo has been temporarily suspended by FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission. However, the suspension is not a result of the incident in Saint Louis, rather it is a new case of harassment complaint. The complaint is by a female chess player involving the recent tournaments Christopher Yoo played in Grenke and Sardinia.

As of today, the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission (EDC) Appeal Chamber has rendered its final decision in Case 05/2025(A), extending the disciplinary sanction imposed by the United States Chess Federation (USCF) against GM Christopher Yoo to a worldwide level. Following a request from the USCF, FIDE has determined that the one-year suspension issued by the USCF – effective from November 15, 2024, to November 14, 2025 – shall now apply globally. During this period, GM Yoo is barred from participating in any FIDE-rated events. This follows a disciplinary process arising from an incident at the US Chess Championship, where GM Yoo physically assaulted a member of the broadcast team. The EDC Appeal Chamber concluded that the USCF’s investigation and sanction were conducted fairly and in line with due process. In addition, GM Yoo will be subject to a five-year probation period through November 14, 2030. Any similar misconduct during this time may lead to further disciplinary action.