FIDE suspends American GM Christopher Yoo after alleged harassment case by a female player

According to a report by HT, the complainant was harassed by Yoo during the recently concluded Grenke Open. The female player filed a complaint, which resulted in the ban.

According to FIDE, “The suspension stems from two separate complaints alleging violations of the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Code. Case 5/2025 (A), filed by the United States Chess Federation (USCF), and an additional recent complaint – whose details and complainant remain confidential due to the sensitive nature of the allegations – are both under investigation by the EDC.”

❗️GM Christopher Yoo Temporarily Suspended by FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission❗️

The FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission (EDC) has announced a provisional 60-day suspension of Grandmaster Christopher Yoo, effective from May 9, 2025. This action follows the submission… pic.twitter.com/KDfQAuEfy0

— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) May 9, 2025

In November 2024, the US Chess Federation imposed a one-year ban prohibiting Yoo from participating in tournaments under the auspices of USCF.

The ban from USCF happened during the 2024 US Chess Championship.

After losing his fifth-round match, Yoo reportedly destroyed his scoresheet before storming out of the playing hall, “and struck a videographer from behind”. The Saint Louis chess club and the organisers of the US Championship did not approve of the reaction of Yoo and expelled him from the US Championship.

Yoo is banned from the Saint Louis Chess Club and suspended from the US Chess Federation, with 4th-degree charges by the Saint Louis police.

The sanction from USCF also includes a five-year probationary period extending through November 14, 2030.

Yoo recently played at the Sardinia World Chess Festival in Italy and eventually won the event as well. But his participation was questioned by International Arbiter Chris Bird, who noted that there must be a mistake in the communication between the US Chess Federation and the FIDE Ethics Commission, as Yoo was playing a FIDE-rated event in Europe.

IA Chris Bird said, “I see GM Christopher Yoo is now playing FIDE rated chess in Sardinia. This is 7 months before his 1 year US Chess Federation suspension is due to expire! Both US Chess and FIDE Ethics had previously agreed to extend this imposed sanction to have a worldwide effect, but apparently that didn’t happen. At the moment it is unclear who dropped the ball on this. I have contacted both but so far with no response, so it seems they are both currently fine with him not playing in the USA, but fine for him to be a potential safe play risk anywhere else in the world.”

I see GM Yoo is now playing FIDE rated chess in Sardinia. This is 7 months before his 1 year @USChess suspension is due to expire! Both US Chess and FIDE Ethics had previously agreed to extend this imposed sanction to have a worldwide effect, but apparently that didn’t happen 🤦‍♂️ https://t.co/4Twlp774vF

— Chris Bird (@ChrisBirdIA) April 28, 2025

After the recent harassment case, FIDE said that the USCF formally submitted a request to FIDE to recognise and globally enforce the ban.

According to the International Chess body, “Given the gravity of the allegations and the ongoing proceedings, the Chair of the EDC has enacted a temporary suspension of GM Yoo to safeguard the integrity of the investigative process. Both GM Yoo and the USCF have been formally notified of this decision.”

The suspension may be extended if a final resolution is not reached within the initial 60-day period.