In Memory of Georgios Makropoulos (1953–2026) — A Chess Biography

In Memory of Georgios Makropoulos (1953–2026)

The chess world has lost a man whose career, spanning several decades, was closely connected not only with the chessboard but also with the administration and development of the international chess movement. On September 15, 2026, news broke of the death of Georgios Makropoulos — a Greek International Master, seven-time Greek champion, major event organizer, and one of the most prominent FIDE officials of the past several decades. He was 72.

His passing came at a symbolic moment, just days before the opening of major events on the international chess calendar and the next FIDE Congress in Samarkand. Makropoulos had been expected to take part in the elections for FIDE Vice President, but he did not live to see the event.

From a Strong Chess Player to a Leader of World Chess

Georgios Makropoulos was born in 1953 in Thessaloniki. His own chess career began long before his name became closely associated with FIDE.

As a young player, Makropoulos competed in two World Junior Chess Championships, in 1969 and 1971. By the 1970s, he had established himself as one of Greece's leading chess players.

The defining achievement of this period was his seven Greek Championship titles. Makropoulos won the national championship in 1971, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1980, and 1985. He was awarded the International Master title in 1979 and achieved his grandmaster norm at the Banco di Roma tournament in 1980. His peak rating reached 2485.

Makropoulos also represented Greece on the international stage. He competed at Chess Olympiads and other team events, building a reputation as one of the strongest Greek players of his generation.

But gradually, the chessboard ceased to be the only focus of his career.

The Man Who Helped Build Chess Infrastructure

In 1977, Makropoulos began working as a journalist for the Athens newspaper Eleftherotypia. The experience proved valuable for his future career: the ability to work with information, people, and organizations would later become an important part of his professional profile.

In 1982, Makropoulos became president of the Greek Chess Federation. He remained in the position for many years and was later named its honorary president.

Under his leadership, Greece became a venue for major international chess events. Two Chess Olympiads held in Thessaloniki — in 1984 and 1988 — stand out in particular.

For Greek chess, this was an important period of international development. Makropoulos was gradually moving from the role of a national chess official to that of a figure with global influence.

Four Decades in FIDE Leadership

In 1986, Makropoulos joined the FIDE leadership as Vice President. In 1990, he became the organization's General Secretary, a position he held until 1996.

After that, Makropoulos continued working within FIDE's leadership as Deputy President, a position he held until 2018. His role in the organization's administration became particularly prominent between 2015 and 2018.

Over those years, FIDE presidents changed, the structure of the international chess movement evolved, new competition formats emerged, and the federation's geographical reach expanded. Makropoulos remained one of the people who, for decades, were directly involved in the system where many of the key decisions affecting world chess were made.

That is why his name became known far beyond Greece.

The 2018 Presidential Election

In 2018, Makropoulos decided to run for the FIDE presidency.

The election was held in Batumi, with Arkady Dvorkovich as his main opponent. Dvorkovich won the majority of votes and became president of the organization.

Makropoulos, however, did not disappear from international chess. He continued to participate in the work of FIDE and remained involved in the administration of the game.

In 2022, he was once again elected as a FIDE Vice President. His connection with the leadership of the international federation therefore continued even after his presidential campaign.

In 2026, Makropoulos once again became directly involved in the electoral process. FIDE confirmed his candidacy for one of the four elected Vice President positions. The vote was scheduled to take place in Samarkand during the FIDE General Assembly.

That election campaign has now become part of the final chapter of his life.

His Final Chapter Was Connected to Samarkand

Georgios Makropoulos died on September 15, at a time when the chess world was already gathering in Samarkand for the 46th Chess Olympiad and a series of major FIDE events.

There is a particular symbolism in that timing.

Makropoulos devoted a significant part of his life to organizing chess events, working with federations, and developing the international chess system. His final period of professional activity was once again connected with one of the year's most important chess forums.

FIDE described Makropoulos as one of the most influential figures in international chess administration over the previous four decades, highlighting his long-standing contribution to the development and management of world chess.

His Legacy Goes Beyond Titles and Positions

Makropoulos can be remembered as a seven-time Greek champion, an International Master, or a former FIDE official. Yet each of these descriptions captures only one part of his legacy.

He belonged to a generation of chess leaders for whom developing the game meant more than producing strong players and organizing tournaments. It also meant building federations, hosting Olympiads, conducting international negotiations, developing chess programs, and creating the conditions for competitions to be held at the highest level.

In that sense, his career demonstrates how closely sport and organizational work are intertwined in chess.

Makropoulos began his journey at the chessboard, but gradually became a man who worked on the infrastructure that allowed the game itself to grow.

Remembering a Man Who Remained in the Game for Decades

Georgios Makropoulos lived through several eras of chess.

He began as a young Greek player in the 1960s and 1970s, when international chess looked very different from what it is today. He then became a national champion, a leader of the Greek Chess Federation, a FIDE official, General Secretary, and Deputy President of the organization.

Over the decades, he witnessed generations of players come and go, as well as enormous changes in technology, competition formats, and the international chess system itself.

Yet his connection with chess was never truly broken.

The death of Georgios Makropoulos is a loss for Greek and international chess. His biography will remain part of the history of FIDE and European chess — from his early achievements over the board to decades of work at the highest levels of chess administration.

Today, the chess world remembers a man who spent much of his life devoted to the game.

Perhaps the best way to preserve his memory is to keep playing, organizing tournaments, developing chess, and passing it on to future generations.

The game goes on. But the people who devoted their lives to it remain part of its history forever.