Leaving Chess.com due to continued support of Russian Aggression

Edited moderator SB

https://www.chess.com/news/view/ukrainian-chess-players-in-times-of-war

He hasn't left. Account is still open.

what if some of the chess players are the 42% not supporting the invasion

That was very childish by Childers, so I'm slapping sanctions on and boycotting him.

Does LIchess ban Russian players?

For a full list of other companies that continue to do business with and/or in Russia (but claim to support Ukraine) google Jeffrey Sonnenfeld for the Hall of Shame members. The list is shrinking due to support for Ukraine, but a few notable companies continue to hope nobody notices.

Legally many companies still have the right and ability to remain doing business with Russians, including entertainment companies. But everyone else also has the right to distance themselves from those companies. 

https://www.chess.com/blog/CHESScom/in-support-of-ukraine

https://www.chess.com/blog/CHESScom/on-the-invasion-of-ukraine

Cutting off Russians from the rest of the world socially cements the Russian State narrative, and closes off opportunities to influence them with accurate information. Chess.com has cut off paid memberships, and has removed Russian flags from our events. But we believe that having Russians citizens interact with the rest of the world will counter misinformation and accelerate the change of the Russian regime. 

Hey, erik is still alive! ;-)

That is a good start. 

The risk (and perception) remain however that those actions are not enough. The companies that have curtailed business with Russians, specifically entertainment companies like WWE, EA, FIDE, FIA, FIFA, etc. all wish they could continue to provide services and social outlets for innocent Russians so that they can get accurate information. 

Many companies, MUCH larger than chess.com, are losing tens of millions of dollars over their decision to curtail business in Russia. These companies understand the moral obligation to suspend interaction with Russia and Russian citizens. Even at their own personal cost, and the cost to innocent Russian citizens. There is no correct answer to this problem, there are only answers that are less horrible than others. 

Tens of thousands of Russian individuals have joined anti-war protests, risking very long jail sentences.  Should they be cut off?

Many millions of Russian citizens have no alternative sources of news beyond what they get from Russian state-run news stations.  Social media provides an alternative source of news and information on what is going on.  Should that be cut off?

Then we should also ban British players for the atrocities committed as they built an empire. And the Greeks for the slaughter of many under Alexander the Great, the Italians for the blood shed during their invasions. Oh yes, and the Americans for the illegal war in Iraq. The Argentinians should be banned for their invasion of the Falkland Isles... There'll be no one left here. Regular folk are innocent so why ban them for what their leaders6do

I believe this issue is more about the here and now. Not what happened hundreds of years ago. 

MGleasons post is what is relevant. Should ordinary Russians (who presumably do not agree with current events) be cut off? This is the question many corporations are asking. It's unlikely CEOs and shareholders are giddy and saying to themselves "finally, we get to stick it to the average innocent Russian". 

As with any conflict that results in sanctions, ordinary citizens are going to feel the brunt of the sanctions. They obviously are not meant to harm the innocent. Every company that has curtailed business wishes they could continue so that the innocent could benefit. But reality doesn't work that way. In a perfect world, sanctions would only impact those doing the harm. But in a perfect world, sanctions would not be necessary. 

MGleasons question is worth considering, because literally lives will be saved or lost depending on the answer. But there is another question too. What happens if business continues as normal? What happens if no businesses and no governments cut off ties to Russia?

ok dear activists.  what do you want to do about the countries that voted against UN condemnation of the russian invasion and those that abstained?

ok chess.com, i've provided alternate targets and a diversion.  now run!!!

I am still a part of the discussion, I am not playing and only here to promote others leaving. 

I don't understand your reasoning. Will putin change because of some kids not having access to one on line chess platform?

No. He will not. Nor will he change because Microsoft has stopped selling products in Russia. Nor will he change because McDonalds is curtailing business with Russian citizens. Nor will he change because WWE or EA has stopped their entertainment ventures. The actions of one business will not change him. It's the totality that will change him. It's why every day more and more business are cutting off ties to Russian citizens. 

It's the selling of products and services to Russian government and Russian citizens that provides funding for the war. But just as importantly, providing products or services to either at this time, whether money is involved or not, is not a good look.