Lausanne [Switzerland], Mar 25 : The International Chess Federation (FIDE) has decided to postpone the Chess Olympiad to 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Olympiad was scheduled to be held from August 5-17 this year in Moscow and Khanty-Mansiysk. However, with the current scenario, the FIDE has decided to move the tournament to next year.
"As you know, the Chess Olympiad is the most popular FIDE event, attended by thousands of people, including players, coaches, officials, and spectators," FIDE said in an official statement.
"These events, to be held in Moscow and Khanty-Mansiysk during the summer of 2020, are rescheduled to the summer of 2021 at the same locations. FIDE will continue to work hard in order to support various chess activities, at the same time caring first and foremost about the health and well-being of the entire chess community," it added.
The decision to postpone the Olympiad was made after taking note of the reports by the World Health Orgsation (WHO).
The World Health Orgsation had termed coronavirus as a pandemic on March 11.
( With inputs from ANI )