Timur Turlov elected FIDE president amid sanctions controversy

Timur Turlov has been elected as the new president of FIDE, the international chess federation, succeeding Arkady Dvorkovich. Although Turlov holds a Kazakh passport, he is a Russian national.

The election has sparked controversy regarding FIDE's own regulations. A rule passed in March 2022 prohibits individuals subject to sanctions or legal sentences from holding official or honorary positions within the organization. While Dvorkovich was previously suspended due to European Union sanctions, Turlov and his company, Freedom Holding Corp, face sanctions from Ukraine.

In response to the Electoral Commission's decision to allow Turlov's candidacy, opponent Wadim Rosenstein has filed an appeal with the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne. Rosenstein is seeking an independent legal evaluation, questioning whether FIDE's rules are being applied consistently or selectively.