FIDE PROVISIONALLY SUSPENDS GRANDMASTER CHRISTOPHER YOO OVER HARASSMENT ALLEGATIONS

Hyderabad :American Chess grandmaster Christopher Yoo has been provisionally suspended by the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission (EDC) after a fresh harassment complaint.

 

He has been handed a 60-day suspension starting May 9 after a female player accused him of wrongdoings during the Grenke Open competition. FIDE issued a statement on Saturday confirming the same and saying that the EDC has handed the player a temporary suspension considering the serious nature of the case.

 

The statement also added that the initial period of 60-day suspension might also be extended if a final decision is not taken till the deadline. “The suspension stems from two separate complaints alleging violations of the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Code. Case 5/2025 (A), filed by the United States Chess Federation (USCF), and an additional recent complaint – whose details and complainant remain confidential due to the sensitive nature of the allegations – are both under investigation by the EDC.” Notably, this is not the first time when Yoo has faced a disciplinary action.

 

In November 2024, the United States Chess Federation (USCF) had banned him for a year as a result of an outburst during the US Chess Championship. The grandmaster showed his anger after facing a loss by storming out of the playing hall, destroying his scoresheet and reportedly striking a videographer.