The disgraceful remarks on women chess by GM Smirin were quickly met by a huge wave of criticism in the chess community. Initially, FIDE were slow to react, with FIDE’s Director General Emil Sutovsky claiming that Smirin will appear again on the official broadcast tomorrow. The next day FIDE overruled the words of Sutovsky, with an official statement on their page, saying:
During yesterday’s Women’s Grand Prix live broadcast, one of the announcers expressed some very embarrassing comments. Although we have great respect for Grandmaster Ilya Smirin as a chess player, the views he expressed on air are completely unacceptable, offensive, and do not represent any of the values that FIDE stands for. Therefore, we unreservedly apologise to all those who were offended. Additionally, GM Smirin will not continue as a FIDE commentator with immediate effect FIDE not only strives to increase women’s representation in professional sports and official positions but also to change the perception of chess as purely a men’s world. Our community has to be a place where women feel safe and respected. Therefore, any action that carries disrespect, sexism or physical, verbal or emotional assault is unacceptable.