David Llada Announces Candidacy for FIDE Council Vice President Position

David Llada, the renowned chess photographer, journalist, and former FIDE Chief Marketing and Communications Officer, has officially announced his candidacy for the position of Vice President on the FIDE Council. The election is scheduled to take place on September 26 during the FIDE General Assembly in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

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A Familiar Face in the Chess World

Llada is a household name in international chess. He has worked as the official photographer at every Chess Olympiad since Istanbul 2012 and has been a constant presence at major FIDE events for over two decades . His acclaimed photography book, The Thinkers, is widely regarded as one of the finest visual collections of chess personalities ever published .

Beyond his work behind the camera, Llada served as FIDE’s Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for five years, where he was instrumental in modernizing the federation’s media presence and organizing two World Championship events, including the 2022 Candidates Tournament in Madrid . He left the position in November 2023 .

Since departing FIDE, Llada has continued his photography work and has been involved with the relaunch of ICC ChessClub.com, one of the oldest online chess platforms . He has also authored three books covering biography, education, and photography .

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Context of the 2026 FIDE Elections

The 2026 FIDE presidential election has drawn significant attention, with three official tickets confirmed after the July 26 nomination deadline:

• Jan Henric Buettner with Malcolm Pein
• Wadim Rosenstein with Gordon Tang
• Timur Turlov with Viswanathan Anand

The election will take place during the FIDE General Assembly in Samarkand on September 26, with each member federation holding one vote .

Llada’s decision to run for Vice President adds another layer of intrigue to an already contested election cycle. His deep knowledge of FIDE’s internal operations and his extensive network across the chess world position him as a potentially influential figure in the upcoming vote.

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Llada’s Vision for FIDE

While Llada has not yet released a detailed manifesto, his public statements over the years offer insight into his priorities. He has been a vocal advocate for transparency and professionalism within FIDE, often criticizing what he describes as “deeply rooted Russian/Soviet culture” in the federation’s governance .

In a 2024 interview, Llada expressed frustration over what he perceived as arbitrary exceptions to media policies, stating that “exceptions are granted systematically to reward submission” . His candidacy is widely seen as an attempt to bring greater accountability and fairness to FIDE’s leadership structures.

His experience as a photographer, journalist, and communications professional could bring a fresh perspective to the Vice President role, particularly in areas of media relations, marketing, and fan engagement.

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Reactions from the Chess Community

News of Llada’s candidacy has been met with interest across the chess world. Many have praised his dedication to the game and his willingness to step into the political arena after years of documenting it from the sidelines.

His decision to run comes at a time when FIDE is under increased scrutiny over governance and transparency. The federation has faced criticism over its handling of media access, financial matters, and its relationship with Russian institutions amid ongoing international sanctions .

Llada has previously highlighted these concerns, including warning about potential loss of FIDE’s banking relationships due to connections with sanctioned Russian entities .

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What’s Next

Llada’s campaign is expected to gain momentum in the coming weeks as the September 26 election approaches. He will likely engage with member federations to present his vision and secure support.

With three presidential tickets already confirmed and several Vice Presidential candidates entering the race, the Samarkand General Assembly promises to be one of the most consequential FIDE elections in recent memory.

Llada’s candidacy adds a unique voice to the conversation — one that combines decades of grassroots experience with a clear-eyed critique of the federation’s challenges.

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