Timur Turlov runs for FIDE presidency after EU sanctions force out Arkady Dvorkovich

Russian former deputy prime minister Arkady Dvorkovich, who has led the International Chess Federation (FIDE) since 2018, was placed on the European Union's sanctions list because of Russia's military actions in Ukraine. The sanction raised the risk that FIDE’s assets could be frozen, prompting the need for a new president.

The FIDE election is scheduled for 26‑27 September 2026 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, during the organisation’s General Assembly and the 46th World Chess Olympiad. Kazakhstan’s Timur Turlov, CEO of Freedom Holding Corp and president of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, announced his candidacy. Turlov, who has overseen a $75 million investment in Kazakh chess and served as president of the International School Chess Federation, pledged a platform focused on digitalisation, AI tools, school‑chess programmes and financial sustainability for national federations. Indian grandmaster Viswanathan Anand, FIDE vice‑president, will act as interim head until the election.

The leadership contest will determine who steers the world’s governing body for chess after Dvorkovich steps down.