Christopher Yoo: “I am a strong person, I will come back in 4.5 months”
GM Christopher Yoo has been temporarily suspended by FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission. However, the suspension is not a result of the incident in Saint Louis, rather it is a new case of harassment complaint. The complaint is by a female chess player involving the recent tournaments Christopher Yoo played in Grenke and Sardinia. As of today, the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission (EDC) Appeal Chamber has rendered its final decision in Case 05/2025(A), extending the disciplinary sanction imposed by the United States Chess Federation (USCF) against GM Christopher Yoo to a worldwide level. The EDC Appeal Chamber had the following composition – Chairperson: Mrs. Yolander Persaud; Members: Mr Khaled Arfa and Mr. Alan Borda. This is the second major action by FIDE in recent days, after the FIDE strong statement on the Kramnik vs Navara case.
Following the worldwide level extension of the ban, Christopher Yoo had a positive reaction, looking forward to the future and reviving his career. He commented in a Chess.com discussion, “I will behave well in chess tournaments from now on. Otherwise, it will be more bad news for me. Sorry, it is just harsh by Chris Bird and FIDE. Imagine working 20 000 hours on chess and people like to say only negative things about you […] I plan on making a comeback in 4.5 months and wiping this ban away. I will behave well for the next 5 years at chess tournaments. I am a strong person. I won’t let this negative media get to me. I will try my best. I won’t lose any temper again. “
Timeline of the Christopher Yoo case
16.10.2024 Christopher Yoo – Fabiano Caruana round 5 game
16.10.2024 Christopher Yoo is expelled from the US Championship and banned from St Louis Chess Club
17.10.2024 Chris Bird, “The punch by Christopher Yoo was completely unprovoked, from behind and in no way accidental”
17.10.2024 USCF suspends Christopher Yoo
17.10.2024 WICF with a statement on the assault of a videographer by GM Christopher Yoo
17.10.2024 Christopher Yoo is charged with fourth-degree assault by the St. Louis police
17.10.2024 Levon Aronian: Christopher Yoo’s punch was well prepared against an innocent person
18.10.2024 Vasif Durarbayli on the Christopher Yoo case
18.10.2024 Chris Bird: To anyone saying Christopher Yoo was somehow provoked by the victim, stop it
19.10.2024 Levon Aronian, “Young people should understand that terrible decisions leave a lasting impact”
20.10.2024 Christopher Yoo parents issue an apology
21.10.2024 Christopher Yoo issues personal apology
28.04.2025 IA Chris Bird: “It is unclear who dropped the ball on GM Christopher Yoo, but he is playing in Europe”
03.05.2025 Christopher Yoo wins Sardinia
09.05.2025 Christopher Yoo wins Freestyle event
09.05.2025 GM Christopher Yoo suspended by FIDE Ethics Commission
11.05.2025 Christopher Yoo’s FIDE suspension is a result of harassment complaint
01.07.2025 FIDE extends sanction against GM Christopher Yoo to a worldwide level
01.07.2025 Christopher Yoo: “I am a strong person, I will come back in 4.5 months”