$10 million for chess: Timur Turlov’s platform for the FIDE presidential election

$10 Million for Chess: Key Takeaways from Timur Turlov’s Program Ahead of the FIDE Presidential Election

On September 26, delegates in Samarkand will decide who will lead the International Chess Federation (FIDE) for the next term. One of the leading candidates is Timur Turlov—President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation and entrepreneur—who is running alongside five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand as his candidate for Deputy President.

Just one day before the vote, Turlov unveiled updated financial commitments, announcing that his proposed chess development program would exceed $10 million. The initiative goes far beyond direct tournament funding. At its core are support for national federations, digital transformation, education, media development, and building a more sustainable global chess ecosystem.

More Than $10 Million: Where the Money Would Go

The financial component has become one of the most prominent elements of Turlov’s campaign.

According to the proposal, approximately $7 million would be allocated to a development fund. These resources would support tournaments, player travel, arbiter and coach education, national federation staff, as well as marketing and communication projects.

An additional $1.5 million annually is proposed for a dedicated media initiative. The goal is to help national federations strengthen their media operations, train communications professionals, and bring chess projects to a wider audience. According to Turlov, the total proposed investment would exceed $10 million.

The concept is designed to be more than a one-time injection of funding. Turlov argues that the initial investment should launch projects capable of generating their own revenue over time, reducing long-term dependence on a single investor.

Why Funding Is at the Center of the Campaign

Financial support has been one of the central themes of Turlov’s election campaign.

During the September 9 presidential debate, he proposed increasing FIDE’s development fund to more than $6 million, with the resources directed toward tournaments, education for arbiters and coaches, international travel for players, support for national federations, and marketing initiatives.

The latest proposal significantly expands on those commitments.

Turlov’s approach is based on the idea that FIDE needs additional resources immediately while simultaneously diversifying its future income streams. Among the potential sources he has highlighted are international sponsorships, intellectual property rights, and partnerships with technology companies.

From Governing Body to Global Service Platform

One of the central ideas of Turlov’s program is redefining FIDE’s role.

Rather than serving solely as the organizer of elite competitions and the governing body of international chess, FIDE would also become a service platform supporting national federations.

The proposal includes expanding FIDE’s central team with specialists in media, communications, and international project management. Federations with limited resources would gain access to educational programs, consulting, and organizational support.

Particular emphasis is placed on helping national federations strengthen relationships with governments, businesses, media organizations, and potential commercial partners.

Digital Transformation: One Unified Chess Account

Another major pillar of the program is digital transformation.

Turlov proposes creating a unified FIDE digital account that would integrate player ratings, online competitions, and educational opportunities into a single platform.

Modern digital tools would also be developed for national federations to manage tournaments more efficiently. Artificial intelligence would play an important role, supporting game analysis, player and coach preparation, tournament administration, and the detection of potential irregularities.

The proposal reflects Turlov’s broader vision for the chess industry.

In April 2026, Freedom Holding, the company he leads, acquired ChessBase. The company announced plans to invest around €5 million in developing the platform and integrating multiple chess services into a unified digital ecosystem.

Chess in Schools

Education represents another major focus of the program.

Turlov proposes expanding the presence of chess in national education systems while ensuring that children have access to chess regardless of their country or economic background.

Kazakhstan is presented as an example of this approach in practice. According to materials describing Turlov’s work, the country's Chess in Education initiative has reached more than 1,500 schools and approximately 60,000 students, while around 2,800 teachers have completed specialized training.

An important role in the strategy is also assigned to the International School Chess Federation, which Turlov chairs. The organization promotes international school competitions and connects schools and young players across different countries.

Support for Professional Players

The program also contains a dedicated section for professional chess players.

Turlov proposes expanding sports marketing, improving playing conditions at international events, and establishing continuous dialogue between players and FIDE.

The World Championship cycle also receives attention. The proposal calls for a more predictable qualification system and for the international chess calendar to be published at least two years in advance, allowing players, federations, and organizers to plan preparation and funding more effectively.

Classical chess remains the flagship discipline, while rapid and blitz are viewed as important tools for attracting new audiences and expanding the sport’s global appeal.

Women's Chess and Accessibility

Women's chess is addressed through a dedicated section of the program.

The proposals include a more stable competition calendar, mentorship initiatives, expanded opportunities for women coaches and officials, and stronger female representation within FIDE’s governing and working bodies.

Additional initiatives are aimed at people with disabilities, senior citizens, refugees, and the use of chess in schools, hospitals, and other social institutions.

In this vision, chess extends beyond professional competition to become an educational and social development tool.

Kazakhstan as a Case Study

For Turlov, the FIDE election is not starting from scratch.

He has led the Kazakhstan Chess Federation for the past three years. According to figures presented in his program and cited in Kazakh and Russian publications, companies associated with his holding have invested approximately $30 million in chess development across Kazakhstan. The funding has supported the national teams, youth programs, international travel, and tournament organization.

Between 2023 and 2025, the number of tournaments registered in international databases reportedly increased from 1,538 to 3,853, while medals won at official international competitions rose from 126 to 162.

Among the most notable achievements was the silver medal won by Kazakhstan’s women’s team at the Chess Olympiad.

Turlov now proposes scaling this experience to the global level through FIDE.

More Than a $10 Million Proposal

Although the financial package has attracted the most attention, the overall concept extends well beyond funding.

Turlov’s program focuses on four interconnected priorities: digital transformation, chess in education, financial sustainability, and the institutional development of FIDE.

A key principle is moving away from a model in which individual projects rely primarily on large private investments toward one capable of generating sustainable long-term sources of funding.

In this context, the proposed $10 million is presented as a starting point for broader reforms rather than the final objective.

What the Vote in Samarkand Will Decide

The FIDE presidential election will take place on September 26, 2026, in Samarkand.

At the time of publication, Turlov remains one of the leading candidates for the presidency, with Viswanathan Anand standing alongside him as the candidate for Deputy President.

The final decision, however, rests with the delegates of the FIDE General Assembly. At this stage, it is possible to assess the candidate’s proposals and stated strategy, but not to determine how fully the program would ultimately be implemented.

The central question facing the election is whether FIDE can transform additional investment, digital innovation, and educational initiatives into a sustainable long-term system for developing chess worldwide.

If Turlov’s program receives the support of the delegates, the international federation will face a major challenge: not simply to invest the proposed millions, but to demonstrate that those resources can build lasting infrastructure for players, national federations, and millions of chess enthusiasts around the world.