Karjakin Briefly Back In The World's Top 10, Then FIDE Boots Him Out Again

Who would think the release of a simple rankings list could be so controversial? But in chess, you have to remember just about everything is loaded with meaning.

When the game's world governing body FIDE released the latest ratings update for March over the weekend showing the top 10 players in the world in classical chess it kicked off an almighty firestorm. And then, as quickly as it started, it was gone.

At first, FIDE watchers couldn't believe their eyes when it emerged controversial Russian GM Sergey Karjakin was suddenly back among the world's best in the longer form of the game.

The reaction was swift and scathing.

Karjakin is a pariah in the game. Having famously held the record for becoming the world's youngest grandmaster, Karjakin has spent years out of the top 10 as a result of his seemingly enthusiastic support for Russia's bloody war in Ukraine, the country of his birth.

Karjakin, who had the now ironic nickname "Minister of Defence" in his prime, was banned by FIDE in March 2022 for his public support of the full-scale invasion launched in February 2022 and his total inability to keep politics and war out of chess.

Despite Karjakin's many claims to the contrary on social media, his career in the game quickly fell off a cliff.

Karjakin's elite tournament invites evaporated. Events like Norway Chess publicly stated they would never have him back.

Karjakin, the man who went toe-to-toe for the world title in 2016 against GM Magnus Carlsen, also decided he would refuse to play FIDE-rated games when he could not compete under his adopted country's flag.

Instead, Karjakin became an enthusiastic cheerleader for Russia's army and started supporting chess events in occupied areas of Ukraine. For that, he became persona non grata in the chess world. For failing to play enough FIDE-rated games, was listed as "inactive."

In February 2025 he was placed on an EU sanctions list.

It seemed—and still does—like his career at the top level of chess was over. A sad end for one of the most prestigious talents of his generation, which included Carlsen.

But in the March list released over the weekend, Karjakin was suddenly back a number-10 with a FIDE rating of 2750, displacing India's World Champion GM Gukesh D who fell to 11. The disgraced GM had, it appeared, arranged two private games against a junior in order to get back on it.

Does it signal an attitude change from Karjakin on competing at the top level? Probably not, for now. But FIDE's relaxation of its restrictions on Russian involvement in chess following last December's General Assembly do appear to have changed something.

Karjakin reacted with relish at his new position, posting this on X:

However, the 36-year-old's glee didn't last long. A social media storm duly kicked off. Then, just hours after Karjakin's return, the two games he had played that appeared to qualify him as "active" suddenly disappeared off FIDE's database.

The Ukrainian-born grandmaster, who hailed from Crimea before switching to Russia in 2009, was no more and Gukesh was back, as India's sole representative in the top 10.

All in all it was a very bizarre turn of events. Was it a mistake? Was it intentional? Did it really happen? Is this a sign of a split within FIDE?

When chess and politics mix, nothing happens without a reason. Someone, please explain.

UPDATE: FIDE Apologises

After publication, FIDE did explain, by posting this apology on X:

"According to Article 0.2.1 of the FIDE Rating Regulations, a tournament and its playing schedule must be registered:

"0.2.1 Not later than 30 days before the tournament starts, if one of the players in the tournament is rated in excess of 2700, or a female player rated in excess of 2500.

"Due to an oversight in the approval process, the Russian Chess Crown match was included in the March 2026 FIDE Rating List in breach of these regulations. Once the error was identified, the Qualification Commission (QC) removed the event from the FIDE Rating System in accordance with the applicable rules.

"As a result, Sergey Karjakin’s status has been changed to inactive, and he has been removed from the list of active players in the FIDE Rating list.

"The FIDE Qualification apologises for any issues this may have caused with the release of the new rating list, and will work at improving the approval process in the future."