Timur Turlov Elected FIDE President
Businessman Timur Turlov has been elected the new president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE). He is the first Kazakh national to lead the world chess organization.
Samarkand, Uzbekistan – Businessman and President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, Timur Turlov, has been elected the new President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE). The election concluded following a second-round runoff vote at the FIDE General Assembly held in Samarkand.
Turlov, who also founded and leads the Nasdaq-listed Freedom Holding Corp., becomes the first Kazakh national to head the global chess governing body. He will serve a four-year term concluding in 2030. His campaign centered on digital transformation and significant investment aimed at developing chess worldwide.
Turlov's platform includes pledges of over $8.5 million towards FIDE's development, including a fund intended to double resources for national federations and simplify grant access. He also plans to establish a unified platform for all players, integrating ratings, online play, and educational tools, with the aim of modernizing the organization and enhancing its global standing.
Furthermore, Turlov has committed to increasing FIDE's transparency by regularly publishing financial statements and commercial agreements. He also intends to bolster support for national federations in areas such as sponsorship, media exposure, and anti-cheating measures. Viswanathan Anand will serve as Deputy President in the new administration.