The International Chess Federation has eliminated GM Ilya Smirin from his commentary job on the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix in Astana, Kazakhstan for making sexist feedback throughout a dwell broadcast. FIDE known as the Israeli grandmaster’s remarks “fully unacceptable” and “offensive.”

The remarks have been made through the dwell broadcast of the ninth spherical of the FIDE Women’s Grand Prix in Astana the place Smirin, a Belarusian-born Israeli grandmaster, was making his debut as an English-language commentator alongside WIM Fiona Steil-Antoni of Luxemburg.

When one of many viewers requested whether or not it is doable for one of many individuals (WGM Zhu Jiner, on 5/9 with two rounds to go) to make a GM norm on this women-only occasion, Smirin requested: “She’s a Woman Grandmaster or what? Why does she wish to be like males grandmaster on this case?” After laughing for a bit, Smirin requested: “It’s doable mainly to make a males norm in a girl event?”

Since scoring a grandmaster norm has nothing to do with gender however solely with acquiring a sure efficiency in a event in opposition to robust opposition that should embody quite a few different grandmasters (of any gender), Steil-Antoni countered: “Of course, why not?”

Smirin: “I do not know. For occasion, why ladies can play with males and males can not play with ladies? Today it could be like everybody for parity!”

After laughing some extra, Smirin tried a joke: “I did not say it brazenly, sorry. Private dialog.”

Steil-Antoni then reminded Smirin of an earlier comment: “You mentioned that [GM Aleksandra] Goryachkina is enjoying like a person, yeah? It’s additionally not…”

Smirin did not take that again, however as a substitute mentioned: “Yeah, it is true. She performed within the Russian Championship Superfinal. A small minus she made, nevertheless it was a really robust event. Also she had a 2600+ score not too long ago.”

Steil-Antoni: “Yeah, however what does that need to do with enjoying like a person? Only males can play nicely?” Smirin: “No, however she’s enjoying in positional fashion, a really robust endgame…”

Smirin’s remarks precipitated a storm of protest on Twitter, with e.g. former ladies’s world champion Susan Polgar becoming a member of the dialog. 

Isn’t it a pure type of discrimination? How can such a person work within the official @FIDE_chess broadcast of such an vital ladies’s occasion? pic.twitter.com/osdI8jipab

— Gulrukhbegim Tokhirjonova (@Gulruhbegim) September 27, 2022

Dear @FIDE_chess after a number of extremely insulting & inappropriate feedback throughout dwell commentary at probably the most vital ladies’s occasions, swift motion (public apology & instant elimination) have to be swiftly taken earlier than subsequent recreation. Shockingly unacceptable! @advorkovich @WOMChess pic.twitter.com/8TAeXNyoNu

— Susan Polgar (@SusanPolgar) September 28, 2022

FIDE’s Director General, the Israelian grandmaster Emil Sutovsky, initially tweeted that Smirin was going to apologize through the tenth spherical, suggesting that he may preserve his job as commentator.

I spoke to GM Smirin. He sincerely apologized, and promised to deliver an apology on air tomorrow.

— Emilchess (@EmilSutovsky) September 27, 2022

However, the following morning, on Wednesday, FIDE introduced that Smirin was sacked. Here’s their full assertion:

During yesterday’s Women’s Grand Prix dwell broadcast, one of many announcers expressed some very embarrassing feedback.

Although now we have nice respect for Grandmaster Ilya Smirin as a chess participant, the views he expressed on air are fully unacceptable, offensive, and don’t characterize any of the values that FIDE stands for. Therefore, we unreservedly apologise to all those that have been offended. Additionally, GM Smirin is not going to proceed as a FIDE commentator with instant impact.

FIDE not solely strives to extend ladies’s illustration in skilled sports activities and official positions but in addition to vary the notion of chess as purely a males’s world. Our neighborhood needs to be a spot the place ladies really feel protected and revered. Therefore, any motion that carries disrespect, sexism or bodily, verbal or emotional assault is unacceptable.

During the tenth spherical, Steil-Antoni has been joined by GM Pavel Tregubov, the husband of GM Alexandra Kosteniuk, who’s enjoying within the occasion.