Timur Turlov has been elected president of the International Chess Federation, becoming the eighth person to lead FIDE and the youngest president elected to the post.
The vote took place on September 26 at FIDE’s General Assembly in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Turlov, who also heads the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, won the second round with 110 votes against 85 for German businessman Wadim Rosenstein.
The election went to a runoff
Three candidates contested the first round. According to FIDE’s official results, Turlov received 96 votes, Rosenstein 76 and Jan Henric Buettner 20. With no candidate securing the required outright majority, the race moved to a second ballot.
Turlov then increased his support to 110 votes and secured a four-year term. He succeeds Arkady Dvorkovich, who led the federation from 2018 to 2026.
Governance and Russia were major issues
The presidential race took place during a period of debate over FIDE governance, financial independence and the status of Russian chess within international competition.
Before the vote, Turlov said FIDE should continue to follow Court of Arbitration for Sport rulings governing Russian participation. He also argued that the federation should expand its digital reach, strengthen anti-cheating systems and improve support for smaller national federations.
Anand remains part of the leadership team
Indian former world champion Viswanathan Anand is set to serve as Turlov’s deputy. Anand has already held a senior role within FIDE and remains one of the most recognizable figures in world chess.
FIDE said delegates representing 196 national chess federations took part in the election process. The result closes a campaign that became more competitive after Dvorkovich decided not to seek another term.
What comes next
Turlov now takes control of FIDE at a time when elite chess is expanding across online, rapid and commercial formats while the classical world championship remains the federation’s flagship competition.
His presidency will be judged on how the organization handles governance, commercial growth, anti-cheating enforcement and the political disputes that continue to affect international chess.
