Gran Maestro Lázaro Bruzón moves to the United States Chess Federation

July 2, 2020

The Cuban Chess Federation reported last Tuesday about the change of membership of Lázaro Bruzón, who as of July 1 will be able to compete under the flag of the United States, after the player himself requested said change on March 20.

"After several exchanges with Fide (International Chess Federation) we have received notification about the transfer of the player to the U.S. federation, which will take effect as of July 1, 2020," states the statement, published in JIT, the official portal of INDER.

The process has been quite straightforward, adhering to Fide's rules, as Cuban journalist Jesús Muñoz has explained on social networks.

Bruzón only needed to fill out a form and send a letter of request to express his intention to change. Additionally, the United States Federation also sent a letter to Fide in which it attests, certifies and gives consent for the Cuban to adopt the northern flag for the purposes of the highest international governing body of chess.

This process took place between March 19 and 20 of this year, just when Fide notified the Cuban Federation of the change request made by Bruzón. At that moment, the Island's authorities could approve the transfer—something they did not do—or not process the request.

The Cuban Chess Federation opted for the second option, that is, it did not process the request but with this option, as there is no response to the request, it becomes valid after three months of being issued, so the flag change becomes effective automatically.