Timur Turlov elected president of the International Chess Federation

Timur Turlov, a prominent businessman and the President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, has been elected as the new President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE). He secured victory during a second-round runoff vote held at the FIDE General Assembly in Samarkand, which took place alongside the Chess Olympiad. Turlov ran on a joint ticket with five-time world champion Viswanathan Anand, who will serve as the Deputy President.

This election marks a significant milestone, as Turlov becomes the first Kazakh national to lead the organization in its history, reflecting the rapid growth of the chess community in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. Turlov, who is the founder and CEO of the Nasdaq-listed Freedom Holding Corp., will serve a four-year term that concludes in 2030. His platform centers on the digital transformation of the sport and a commitment to record-breaking investments in global chess development. He has led the Kazakhstan Chess Federation since 2023 and has expressed his primary objective as strengthening FIDE’s unity and striving for inclusion in the Olympic programme.