One of the youngest ever chess stars to earn the title of grandmaster will face disciplinary action after showing public support for Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Sergey Karjakin was born in the Crimean city of Simferopol in the dying days of the Soviet Union, and represented Ukraine during his early days as a chess prodigy.
He became the youngest grandmaster ever when he earned the title aged 12 years and seven months, though that record has since been surpassed.
In 2009, when he was 19, Karjakin moved to Moscow and switched allegiance to Russia, competing under the flag of his adopted country ever since.
Despite his homeland in Crimea being annexed in 2014 and his original homeland now being invaded by Russian forces, it appears the 32-year-old is firmly backing Vladimir Putin after parroting the Russian leader's claims about the reason for the military action.
In an open letter addressed to Putin, he wrote: "I appeal to you at this difficult time, when our country, led by you, is fighting for the safety of the peaceful Russian population of Donbass and the Lugansk People’s Republic.
"It is fighting for the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine with its ruling regime, which has put the security of all of Europe and our country at risk, for the sake of its political goals and ambitions.
"I am closely following the ongoing special operation, in the lands where I spent my childhood, where I learned to play chess and where my relatives still live.
"For eight long years we have been waiting with hope for salvation from countless shelling and loss of human lives, the ongoing genocide by the still acting Kiev regime.
"I express to you, our commander-in-chief, full support in protecting the interests of Russia, our multinational Russian people, eliminating threats and establishment of peace! I wish you the speedy fulfilment of all the tasks assigned to our valiant army."
Karjakin's public statement incited widespread criticism from the chess world, and led to the International Chess Federation (FIDE) announcing disciplinary action against him and fellow player Sergey Shipov.
The body also announced that Russia and Belarus would be banned from holding FIDE events, while players from those countries will not be allowed to compete under their flags.
"In order to safeguard FIDE from reputational, financial and other possible risks, FIDE terminates all existing sponsorship agreements with any Belarusian & Russian sanctioned and/or state-controlled companies and will not enter into new sponsorship agreements with any such companies," its statement added.
"FIDE Council condemns any public statement from any member of the chess community which supports unjustified military action and brings the case of chess grandmasters Sergey Karjakin and Sergey Shipov to the Ethics and Disciplinary Commission."
