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After numerous visa applications from participants in the two Candidates Tournaments — as well as from accompanying persons and organisers — had not been answered by the Canadian authorities despite having been submitted months ago, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) sent an appeal to the Canadian authorities via social media last Friday. FIDE also issued an ultimatum to change the location of the Candidates Tournaments. It was reported that Spain would have been prepared to step in at short notice.
There were political reasons behind the inaction of the Canadian immigration authorities. Some applicants had apparently received their visas without any problems, but around 40 people had not. FIDE did not name the people who were still waiting for their visas, but Indian media reported that the Indian players and their travelling companions were affected.
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Urgent visa appeal to the Canadian Government regarding the FIDE Candidates Tournament
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) March 1, 2024
The most prestigious tournament in the chess world, the FIDE Candidates, which will determine the challengers for the World Champion title in both the Open and Women’s Categories, is set to… pic.twitter.com/uZSDuomkNX
There is a serious diplomatic rift between Canada and India after Indian activist and separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, who had immigrated to Canada, was the victim of a deadly attack in the car park outside a Sikh temple last year. Nijahr had campaigned for the members of the Sikh religion, who mainly live in the north of the country, to secede from India in order to form their own state. After months of investigation, the Canadian security authorities came to the conclusion that Indian officials and diplomats were behind the assassination attempt. In September last year, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau publicly accused India, sparking outrage in Canada and in the United States. The incident was also discussed at the G20 summit in New Delhi last September. However, Canada denied all accusations.
The dispute escalated when India announced a suspension of visa processing in Canada. The Indian consulates in Canada were exposed to threats and could not carry out normal operations, including processing visa applications, was the reason given. As a result, Canada and India expelled each other’s diplomats. India warned its citizens not to travel to Canada as the country was a place “where terrorists, secessionists or extremists would be tolerated and could operate freely”.
The inertia of the Canadian authorities in granting visas to Indian citizens should therefore be seen as a retaliatory measure in response to the actions of the Indian authorities.
Following the public appeal by the International Chess Federation, Vladimir Drkulec, the President of the Canadian Chess Federation, reported on Wednesday that the visa applications of the Indian participants had all been answered in the affirmative. Three Indians — Praggnanandhaa R, Vidit Santosh Gujrathi and Gukesh D — will take part in the Open tournament, while two Indians — Vaishali R and Koneru Humpy — will play in the women’s event. But the application of Viswanathan Anand, Vice President of FIDE, was also unanswered for a long time.
However, ten more unanswered requests remained, presumably from Russian participants Ian Nepomniachtchi, Aleksandra Goryachkina and Kateryna Lagno, and their companions. Officials, not least the Russian FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, and people from the organising team may also have been affected.
FIDE announced one day before the expiration of its ultimatum that the Canadian authorities have now also approved these applications for entry.
The two Candidates Tournaments will take place in Toronto after all, with the opening ceremony set to take place on April 3, as originally planned. The first round will be played on April 4. This is the first time in more than 60 years that a Candidates Tournament will be held on the American continent. The last one was held in Curaçao in 1962.
Update on the visa situation for the 2024 Candidates: Since our appeal on Friday, we've received a positive response from Canadian Immigration Authorities. All players and key members of the organizing team have received their visa approvals and notifications to submit their… pic.twitter.com/cU1d6q9iCP
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) March 7, 2024
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