Belarus to Compete Under National Flag in Chess Olympiad as Russia Remains Suspended
Belarus will participate under its national flag in the upcoming Chess Olympiad after the International Chess Federation (FIDE) lifted previous restrictions that required Belarusian players to compete using neutral symbols. This decision marks a significant change for Belarus, which will be represented by a team led by Grandmaster Denis Lazavik, including three grandmasters, and is ranked 41st in the event. Meanwhile, Russia remains suspended from the Olympiad due to the Chess Federation of Russia's refusal to comply with a Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) verdict. The CAS had ordered the Russian Federation to cease organizing chess activities in the occupied Ukrainian territories. Although FIDE has left open the possibility for Russian players to participate under a neutral flag, no such team has been listed for the event. 
