GM Christopher Yoo has been handed an 18-month suspension from FIDE-rated events after the FIDE Ethics and Disciplinary Commission (EDC) found him guilty of multiple violations, including harassment, psychological abuse, and inappropriate conduct toward a female player.
Twelve months of the ban are suspended, meaning Yoo will serve six months immediately, with the remainder as a probation period. Any further breach during that time would trigger the full ban. The decision, dated July 17 and made public this week, means Yoo can return to tournament play on January 17, 2026.
The 18-year-old U.S. grandmaster, currently rated 2607 and ranked 12th among the world’s top juniors, is already serving a separate one-year global suspension until November 14, 2025. That sanction stemmed from an incident during the 2024 U.S. Chess Championship where Yoo physically assaulted a female member of the broadcast team. He was initially banned by the U.S. Chess Federation, a ban that was later upheld by FIDE.
Christopher Yoo:
2025: Currently the 14th highest-ranked player in USA, second among juniors (U20)
2024: Won the U.S. Junior Championship.
2022: Won the U.S. Masters.
2021: Earned his third and final grandmaster (GM) norm, and achieved the required 2500 rating, to secure the title.
2020: U.S. Cadet (U16) Champion.
2019: Became an International Master (IM) as a 12-year-old, the youngest in U.S. history at the time.
2016: Youngest American master as a 9-year-old.
This second disciplinary case arose from a complaint filed in May this year, where a female player came forward describing multiple instances of inappropriate and unwelcome contact by the American grandmaster during the Grenke Chess Festival in Germany and the Sardinia Chess Festival in Italy. Her claims were corroborated by multiple witnesses, and the EDC found substantial evidence to support the allegations.
According to the decision, Yoo repeatedly followed the complainant around the venues, attempted to kiss her, grabbed her hand without consent during a dinner, waited outside her hotel room, repeatedly knocking on the door, and published a cropped image of the two on social media in a way that implied a romantic relationship.
In private messages presented as evidence, Yoo also made demeaning comments, writing: “I don’t respect 1950 chess players. Your brain doesn’t know how to move the knight,” and calling himself “a genius.”
The EDC found Yoo guilty of violating multiple articles of the FIDE Ethics & Disciplinary Code, including provisions covering harassment, psychological abuse, and sexually inappropriate behavior:
- Article 6.1(a): Human dignity
- Articles 6.2 & 6.3: Respect and ethical conduct
- Article 6.4: Prohibition of harassment
- Articles 6.5(e) & 6.5(g): Psychological abuse and sexually inappropriate behavior
- Articles 11.9(a) & (d): Socially unacceptable and harmful behavior
In its ruling, the EDC rejected the argument that the actions lacked intent to harm. They emphasized that harm is measured by the effect on the victim, not the perpetrator’s intent:
In such cases, what matters is not the harasser’s intent but the fact that they repeatedly and insistently engage in conduct that causes psychological fear, discomfort, and distress to the other party.
The EDC also noted:
Chess is a sport in which it is evident that each player can be psychologically affected by such harassment and that this can influence their performance. It is highly likely that this would have a negative psychological impact on the ability to play, especially if the person must compete in the same environment as the harasser.
FIDE places great importance on ensuring that all players are able to perform at the chessboard without any negative external influences and supports the establishment of all necessary conditions to achieve this.
Chess is a sport in which it is evident that each player can be psychologically affected by such harassment and that this can influence their performance.
—FIDE Ethics & Disciplinary Commission
The panel also argued that Yoo’s actions fit the definition of sexual harassment, which is defined as “unwanted and unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature, whether verbal, non-verbal, or physical. The assessment is based on whether a reasonable person, in the given cultural and contextual circumstances, would regard the conduct as undesirable or offensive.”
The EDC noted in its decision:
…interpreting such behavior as childish or attempting to justify it through social labels, modernity, or tolerance is not acceptable when there is a clear statement and complaint from the victim indicating that she felt disturbed. In determining whether harassment occurred, the victim’s declaration that she experienced the behavior as intimidation is one of the most crucial elements. Furthermore, witness testimonies have corroborated nearly all of the violations committed by the Respondent.
Yoo’s father and representative, Young Kyo Yoo, argued in the defense that his son’s young age, cooperation, and expression of remorse should count as mitigating factors, submitting documentation of a medical condition. In an interview with German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, the family revealed that Yoo has been diagnosed with autism.
While the EDC acknowledged the diagnosis and the cooperation with the investigation, it concluded that the behavior still constituted harassment, regardless of intent. The panel also said it currently lacks a way to implement Yoo’s proposed alternative sanctions, such as supervised participation in tournaments.
The EDC noted this is the second time that Yoo has been found guilty of misconduct involving a female individual, and considered his prior offense from St. Louis in 2024 as an aggravating factor in determining a sanction.
In a comment to Chess.com, the female complainant expressed her disappointment with the ban taking effect immediately, instead of being added to the previous sanction. She welcomed the recognition of wrongdoing. “This may help him understand that his behavior was far from appropriate.”
She had previously told Chess.com that she was the victim of harassment by her chess coach as an 11-year-old, and said her intention has always been to prevent future harm. “I hope the decision might help prevent him from doing something irreparable later on, given his impulsive behavior patterns. Such actions could lead to far more severe legal consequences than what he is facing today.”
I hope the decision might help prevent him from doing something irreparable later on.
—Female complainant in case against Yoo
She is also thankful for being supported by the Women in Chess Foundation (WICF), whose mission is to create a safer, more inclusive, environment for women at chess tournaments.
Statement by the Women In Chess Foundation:
President of the Women in Chess Foundation, Emilia Casteleo, confirmed to Chess.com that the complainant reached out to them, and that they assisted her in communicating with the EDC.
“We are in full support of her and are grateful to her for coming forward and to FIDE for taking this case seriously and being very responsive. We do have sympathy for the position FIDE was in though as, after reading the case, it is clear that Christopher is, in some capacity, a vulnerable adult,” Casteleo said, calling Yoo’s actions inexcusable, and adding:
“We are at a really critical point where, at every level, safety and implementing Safe Play Policy needs to be a priority on a local, national and international level. Her coming forward and FIDE taking this case seriously is the first step, I hope, in showing others that addressing misconduct is important and needs to be prioritized.”
Yoo now faces an extended period away from competitive chess. 12 of the 18 months in the sanction are suspended, and Yolander Persaud, Chairwoman of the EDC confirmed to Chess.com that Yoo will be able to return to playing FIDE tournaments on January 17, 2026.
“The sanctions run concurrently, and so do the probation periods. It is important to know that the suspended sanction (of 12 months) will come into effect should there be another transgression of a same or similar nature,” she said.
The decision is subject to an appeal within 21 days. Asked for a comment, Yoo’s father told Chess.com that they only received the decision on August 4. They are still studying it and seeking clarifications from FIDE on some points.
