Timur Turlov elected as new president of the International Chess Federation

On September 26, 2026, the International Chess Federation (FIDE) elected 38-year-old Timur Turlov, the founder and CEO of Freedom Holding, as its new president during a congress held in Samarkand. Turlov succeeds Arkady Dvorkovich, who had held the position since 2018.

As part of his leadership plan for the 2027–2030 period, Turlov has committed to investing approximately €30 million into the development of chess. This funding includes an annual allocation of €6.2 million for the FIDE development fund, which represents a nearly fourfold increase over the previous budget. The resources are earmarked for tournament organization, the training of coaches and arbiters, educational projects, digital transformation, and support for young talent. Additionally, funding for women's chess is set to increase fivefold, with $1.5 million allocated annually specifically for that sector.

Throughout FIDE's 102-year history, Turlov becomes the ninth president to lead the organization. His tenure begins amid expectations for significant structural and financial changes within the global chess community, aiming to create a comprehensive ecosystem for both professional grandmasters and millions of amateur players.