Viswanathan Anand Assumes Interim FIDE Presidency Following Leadership Crisis

International chess entered a new administrative era yesterday as five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand officially assumed the role of Interim President of FIDE. The transition follows the voluntary suspension of duties by Arkady Dvorkovich, who stepped aside on July 24, 2026, after being named in the European Union’s 21st sanctions package.

The sudden move, triggered by geopolitical pressure, has forced the federation to activate its charter protocols to ensure legal and financial stability. Anand, who has served as the FIDE Deputy President since 2022, will now lead the organization as it prepares for the upcoming General Assembly and Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, this September.

The Path to the Presidency

The crisis began on July 23, when Brussels added Arkady Dvorkovich to its sanctions list, citing his previous high-ranking roles in the Russian government and the use of the chess federation’s platform. Within 24 hours, Dvorkovich announced his decision to suspend his powers to prevent the federation from facing bank account freezes or sponsorship cancellations in Europe.

Anand accepted the responsibilities of the Interim Presidency immediately, stating: “My focus is on ensuring continuity and serving the global chess family during this transition. We have a monumental year ahead with the Olympiad and the World Championship, and our priority remains the players and the integrity of the game.”

A Competitive Election Cycle

While Anand’s current role is interim, the political landscape for the next four-year term is already shifting. Nominations for the FIDE Presidency are set to close tomorrow, July 26. Kazakh billionaire Timur Turlov, founder of Freedom Holding and President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, has officially filed his bid for the top office.

In a move to consolidate support, Turlov’s ticket features Viswanathan Anand as the candidate for Deputy President. This “Turlov-Anand” partnership is being viewed by analysts as the favorite to secure the backing of major Asian and Western federations, potentially ending decades of Russian-led administration at FIDE.

What This Means for the Sport

For the chess community, having a figure of Anand’s stature at the helm—even in an interim capacity—is seen as a stabilizing force. Corporate sponsors, who have traditionally been wary of FIDE’s political ties, have signaled a renewed interest in the organization under “The Tiger of Madras.”

However, the transition is not without challenges. Anand must now navigate a divided General Assembly and a series of legal hurdles regarding FIDE’s headquarters in Switzerland. The next few weeks will be a crucial test of whether a legendary player can effectively transition into the role of the world’s chief chess diplomat.

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Follow our portal for further updates on the FIDE General Assembly nominations and the official candidate list, expected to be released on July 27.