A Call for Consistency and Fairness on Chess.com

Chess.com made a bold decision to remove the Russian flag from user profiles in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This move was framed as a moral stance against war and aggression — and it was widely supported by the global community as a stand for peace and human rights.

However, this same principle is seemingly not applied with consistency. Despite overwhelming evidence and international condemnation regarding Israel’s ongoing military actions and occupation in Palestine — actions many have described as violations of international law and even as war crimes — the Israeli flag remains visible and supported on the platform.

This selective application of moral standards raises serious questions about Chess.com’s impartiality and values. Is the suffering of some people more worthy of recognition than others? Are principles only enforced when politically convenient?

We believe in a platform that stands for fairness, equality, and human dignity — not just in chess, but in the world it reflects. If Chess.com chooses to take political or ethical stands, those decisions must be applied consistently, regardless of the country involved.

Otherwise, the message is clear: some injustices matter, and others don’t.

We call on Chess.com to either:

Refrain from politicizing national symbols altogether, or
Apply their moral standards fairly and equally across all nations.

Only then can the platform truly be considered inclusive, principled, and respectful of the global community it serves.

This discussion is not allowed in the general forums.