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

After being banned for one year the US Chess Federation in 2024, the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission (EDC) provisionally suspended American Grandmaster Chropher Yoo for 60 days on Saturday, effective from Friday. May 9, 2025.FIDE said that their action followed after the submission of a second complaint alleging harassment, currently under preliminary review.
According to a report HT, the complainant was harassed Yoo during the recently concluded Grenke Open. The female player filed a complaint, which resulted in the ban.
Story continues below this ad

According to FIDE, “The suspension stems from two separate complaints alleging violations of the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Code. Case 5/2025 (A), filed 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 the EDC.”

❗️GM Chropher Yoo Temporarily Suspended FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission❗️
The FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission (EDC) has announced a provisional 60-day suspension of Grandmaster Chropher 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 the Saint Louis police.Story continues below this ad
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 International Arbiter Chris Bird, who noted that there must be a make 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 Chropher 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.”Story continues below this ad
The suspension may be extended if a final resolution is not reached within the initial 60-day period.