A great American master was suspended by Fide for allegations of harassment by a player. The Grand Master was already faced with disciplinary measures due to his previous fault and has now made the headlines for a new case.
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The American Grand Master Christopher Yoo was temporarily suspended by the Fide Ethics and Disciplinary Commission (EDC) following a new complaint for harassment. The 60 -day suspension, which started on May 9, 2025, comes after a player accused Yoo of misconduct during the Grenke Open tournament.
Fide published a statement saying that the EDC imposed a temporary suspension on Saturday while keeping the serious nature of the complaint in mind.
Yoo under investigation
“The suspension comes from two separate complaints alleging violations of fided ethics and the disciplinary code. Case 5/2025 (A), filed by the Federation of US failures (USCF), and an additional recent complaint – whose details and complainant remain confidential due to the sensitive nature of allegations – are the subject of a survey both by the EDC. “
❗️GM Christopher Yoo temporarily suspended by FIDE ethics and the disciplinary commission❗️
The Fide Ethics and Disciplinary Commission (EDC) announced a provisional suspension 60 days from the Grand Master Christopher Yoo, in force from May 9, 2025. This action follows submission… pic.twitter.com/kdfqauefy0
– International Federation of Chess (@Fide_chess) May 9, 2025
This is not the first time that Yoo has faced disciplinary measures. In November 2024, the Federation of US Chess (USCF) prohibited it for a year after an explosion during the American chess championship. Yoo had left the game room after a defeat, destroyed his match sheet and hit a videographer.
After the incident, he was expelled from the tournament and banned from Saint Louis Chess Club. Local police have also made an accusation to the fourth degree against him. The USCF added a probation of five years in addition to the suspension of one year, which lasts until November 14, 2030. However, the last case caused it more problems.
Despite the ban on the United States, Yoo has recently played and won the Sardia World Chess Festival in Italy. International referee Chris Bird underlined the contradiction, wondering how Yoo was authorized to participate in an event listed in Fide during his suspension. He said that Fide and the USCF had previously agreed that the ban should apply worldwide.
Yoo won a dominant victory at the Sardia Chess Festival 2025, finishing with 7.5 points out of 9. Yoo remained unbeaten throughout the event. He finished before the Ukrainian GM Ihor Samunenkov and the Italian director general Lorenzo Lodici, who both shared second place with 7 points each.
The two complaints are still being examined by the EDC, and the details of the most recent are kept private due to the sensitive nature of allegations.
