Anatoly Karpov comments on Pavel Kolobkov's election as FIDE Vice President
Anatoly Karpov Comments on Pavel Kolobkov’s Election as FIDE Vice President
The election of FIDE’s new leadership in Samarkand became one of the defining events of the chess world in autumn 2026.
While the change of president at the International Chess Federation attracted considerable attention, another appointment also sparked widespread interest: Pavel Kolobkov, Russia’s former Minister of Sport, was elected FIDE Vice President.
The decision has already drawn a response from Anatoly Karpov, the 12th World Chess Champion, who shared his views on Kolobkov’s election and its significance for international chess.
Karpov: Kolobkov’s Election Is Significant in Its Own Right
Anatoly Karpov considers Pavel Kolobkov’s election an important development but does not believe it should be directly linked to Arkady Dvorkovich’s departure as FIDE President.
“Kolobkov’s appointment as FIDE Vice President is significant in itself. He has close ties to chess, which makes it even more welcome. However, I don’t think it should be connected to Dvorkovich’s departure,” Karpov told the Russian sports outlet Championat.
The legendary Russian grandmaster thus emphasized Kolobkov’s professional background in sports and his connection to chess rather than the political circumstances surrounding the changes in FIDE’s leadership.
How Pavel Kolobkov Joined FIDE’s Leadership
Pavel Kolobkov was elected Vice President of the International Chess Federation during the FIDE General Assembly held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on September 26–27, 2026.
Kolobkov received 78 votes from delegates in the first round of voting. Three other candidates were also elected to FIDE Vice President positions:
- Xu Yuhua of China
- Michael Khodarkovsky of the United States
- Yassine Souleiman Hassan of Djibouti
Meanwhile, Timur Turlov of Kazakhstan was elected FIDE President, with Viswanathan Anand, the 15th World Chess Champion, becoming Deputy President.
The elections resulted in a substantially renewed leadership team tasked with guiding the organization through its next four-year term.
Who Is Pavel Kolobkov?
Although Pavel Kolobkov is not a professional chess player, he has an impressive career in international sports.
Kolobkov is an Olympic fencing champion who won gold in the individual épée event at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. His achievements also include two Olympic silver medals, three bronze medals, six world championship titles, and two European championship titles.
Beyond his competitive career, Kolobkov built an extensive background in sports administration.
From 2016 to 2020, he served as Russia’s Minister of Sport, overseeing various aspects of the country's sporting system. He remained involved in sports administration after leaving the ministry.
Before the FIDE elections, Kolobkov emphasized that chess was a familiar discipline to him. In interviews, he recalled that numerous chess competitions, including children's and youth tournaments, had received support during his time at the Ministry of Sport.
His experience as both an elite athlete and a senior sports official is likely to influence his approach to his new responsibilities within FIDE.
Why Kolobkov Believes Chess Matters
Even before his election, Kolobkov had spoken about chess as an accessible sport with broad international appeal.
He believes chess has value beyond competitive results, particularly in education and personal development.
Kolobkov has also advocated for greater recognition of chess within the international sporting community.
One of his proposals has been to explore the possibility of including chess in the Olympic Games, arguing that the discipline could make a valuable contribution to the Olympic program.
His administrative experience and understanding of international sports structures may have played a role in attracting support for his candidacy.
The Election Comes Amid Major Changes at FIDE
Kolobkov’s arrival in FIDE’s leadership comes at a particularly sensitive time for the organization.
Before the 2026 elections, FIDE was led by Arkady Dvorkovich. In July 2026, the European Union placed Dvorkovich on its sanctions list, after which he voluntarily suspended his presidential duties.
At the General Assembly in Samarkand, Timur Turlov was elected to succeed him.
The composition of the new leadership also prompted international debate.
In particular, the Ukrainian Chess Federation opposed the appointment of Pavel Kolobkov and Mikhail Podolyak to senior positions within FIDE.
Despite the controversy, FIDE’s official leadership structure following the General Assembly confirms Kolobkov’s election as Vice President for the 2026–2030 term.
His appointment therefore represents both a personal career milestone and part of a broader transformation taking place within the international chess governing body.
What Karpov’s Comments Really Mean
Anatoly Karpov’s remarks are particularly noteworthy because they offer a different perspective on Kolobkov’s election.
Rather than interpreting the appointment primarily through the political circumstances surrounding FIDE’s leadership transition, Karpov suggests evaluating it as an independent decision.
For the former world champion, the key consideration is not who left the organization but who has joined it — and what that person can contribute to chess.
Kolobkov himself has acknowledged that his election received a mixed reaction.
Following the vote, he revealed that some delegates at the General Assembly had openly expressed dissatisfaction with the result.
These reactions illustrate how the appointment became more than a routine leadership decision. It emerged as one element of the wider changes reshaping international chess governance.
Karpov’s comments, however, suggest that Kolobkov’s future performance should ultimately be judged by his work rather than by the controversy surrounding his election.
A New Chapter for FIDE
Following the Samarkand elections, FIDE enters a new four-year cycle under President Timur Turlov, with Viswanathan Anand serving as Deputy President and a renewed Council responsible for shaping the federation’s direction.
Pavel Kolobkov joins this leadership team as one of its elected Vice Presidents.
For Kolobkov, the appointment marks a transition from national sports administration to international chess governance.
His responsibilities will now involve working with national chess federations, players, tournament organizers, and other stakeholders across the global chess community.
The coming years will reveal how effectively he can apply his experience in elite sport and administration to the challenges facing modern chess.
Anatoly Karpov’s reaction highlights a central point: regardless of the political circumstances, the election of an experienced sports administrator to a senior FIDE position is a significant development in its own right.
Whether Kolobkov can turn that experience into meaningful progress for international chess will ultimately depend on the decisions and achievements of FIDE’s newly elected leadership.