Timur Turlov elected as new president of FIDE

On September 26, 2026, during the International Chess Federation (FIDE) congress in Samarkand, 38-year-old businessman Timur Turlov was elected as the new president. Turlov, the founder and CEO of Freedom Holding, succeeds Arkady Dvorkovich, who had led the organization since 2018. The leadership change marks the beginning of a new administrative era for the federation, which has been governed by only eight individuals throughout its 102-year history.

As part of his strategic vision for the 2027–2030 period, Turlov has pledged to invest approximately 30 million euros into the development of global chess. The plan includes an annual contribution of 6.2 million euros to the FIDE development fund, representing a fourfold increase over the current budget. These resources are earmarked for tournament organization, professional training for coaches and arbiters, digitalization efforts, and educational initiatives. Notably, funding for women's chess is set to increase fivefold, with an additional 1.5 million dollars allocated annually for specific development programs.

The federation aims to use these financial commitments to foster a global ecosystem that supports both elite grandmasters and casual players. This investment package is intended to modernize FIDE operations and expand the reach of the sport worldwide over the next four years of Turlov's presidency.