The World Chess Federation (FIDE) is set to elect a new president on Saturday, September 26, 2026, in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, marking the end of an era of Russian leadership. The incumbent president, Arkady Dvorkovich, will not seek re-election following his inclusion on the European Union's sanctions list due to his support for Russia's actions in Ukraine. The candidates for the presidency are Kazakh billionaire Timur Turlov and two Germans: investor Jan Henric Buettner and entrepreneur Wadim Rosenstein, who is backed by the German Chess Federation (DSB).
The election is politically charged, with concerns about the candidates' ties to Russia and the sources of FIDE's funding. Buettner, a Hamburg native, has collaborated with former world champion Magnus Carlsen and claims no connections to Russia. He aims to reduce reliance on Russian financial support and distribute 20% of FIDE's revenue to chess federations globally, although his approach is seen as radical by some.
Turlov, who became a Kazakh citizen in 2022, is considered the frontrunner. He has been associated with Dvorkovich and has financial ties to FIDE through his company, Freedom Holding Corp., which has sponsored FIDE events. His dual role as president and financial backer raises concerns, especially given that his firm is on Ukraine's sanctions list for allegedly financing Russia's war efforts.
Rosenstein, who moved to Germany from Ukraine at age nine, faces scrutiny over his business activities and connections to Russia. He has organized significant chess events but has not disclosed the total costs or funding sources for these activities. His campaign is supported by the DSB and has garnered attention from German political figures.
The election outcome remains uncertain as the candidates navigate their complex ties to Russia and the chess community's concerns about financial transparency and political influence. The election is significant as it signals a shift in leadership away from Russian dominance within FIDE, which has been in place for over three decades.