Timur Turlov Elected New FIDE President — Election Results
Timur Turlov Elected New FIDE President
One of the most closely watched political contests in world chess in 2026 has come to an end. At the FIDE General Assembly in Samarkand on September 26, delegates elected a new leader of the International Chess Federation. Timur Turlov of Kazakhstan has been elected President of FIDE.
For 38-year-old Turlov, the victory is historic for several reasons. Not only will he lead the world's largest international chess organization, but he will also become the youngest FIDE president in history.
Turlov Wins in the Second Round
The election was held during the FIDE General Assembly, which is taking place in Samarkand alongside the 46th Chess Olympiad. Three teams competed for the presidency: Timur Turlov and Viswanathan Anand, Vadim Rosenstein and Gordon Tang, and Jan Henric Buettner and Malcolm Pein.
The contest was decided in the second round. Turlov received 110 votes, defeating Vadim Rosenstein, who received 85.
As a result, Kazakhstan has, for the first time, secured the presidency of FIDE.
Viswanathan Anand Joins Turlov in FIDE Leadership
Particular attention has been drawn to the composition of the new president's team. Five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand has been elected as Turlov's deputy.
Anand's candidacy was one of the defining features of Turlov's campaign. The team brought together the entrepreneur's management and financial experience with the authority of one of the greatest players in chess history. The campaign's official program also envisioned joint presidential representation by Turlov and Anand.
The new leadership team now has the opportunity to implement its proposed agenda at the level of the entire international federation.
Who Is Timur Turlov?
Timur Turlov is a Kazakh entrepreneur and financier, as well as the founder and CEO of Freedom Holding Corp. He has also served as President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation since 2023.
In recent years, Turlov has become a prominent figure in Kazakhstan's chess community. Under his leadership, the federation has focused on children's and school chess programs, infrastructure development, and the organization of international competitions.
Before being elected FIDE president, Turlov also served as president of the International School Chess Federation, an organization focused on the development of chess among children.
He will now have the opportunity to bring this experience to the international level.
What Did Turlov Promise to Change in World Chess?
Several key areas were at the center of the new president's election program.
One of the main priorities was the digital development of FIDE. Turlov advocated for a more unified digital infrastructure that would give national federations access to modern technological tools.
Another major focus was chess in education. His program placed significant emphasis on expanding access to chess for children and young people and developing educational initiatives.
Turlov also highlighted the need to strengthen national federations and expand chess beyond its traditional centers. Other stated priorities included financial sustainability, digitalization, and the fight against cheating.
A New Chapter for FIDE
Turlov's election marks a significant change in FIDE's leadership. The vote followed Arkady Dvorkovich's decision not to seek another term. Three candidates remained in the presidential race, with the final result determined only in the second round.
The new leadership will now face a number of complex challenges, including the development of chess across different regions of the world, the federation's digital transformation, its financial model, relations between national federations, and the continued development of international competitions.
Before the election, Turlov emphasized the importance of respecting international sporting decisions and spoke about expanding FIDE's digital capabilities, supporting smaller federations, and strengthening the global presence of chess.
What Comes Next?
The election campaign is now over. The practical work begins.
Timur Turlov has received a mandate to lead FIDE and, together with Viswanathan Anand, will head the organization responsible for the development of world chess. His victory brings to an end the months-long contest for control of the federation and opens a new chapter for FIDE.
This year, Samarkand has become the center of world chess for two major reasons: it is hosting the Chess Olympiad, and it has now also witnessed the election of a new leadership team for the International Chess Federation.
For Kazakhstan, Turlov's election is a landmark event. For FIDE, it marks the beginning of a new presidential cycle in which, judging by the proposed program, digitalization, education, federation development, and the expansion of the global chess ecosystem are set to become key priorities.