FIDE president Timur Turlov meets with Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides

International Chess Federation (FIDE) president Timur Turlov and Freedom24 CEO Evgenii Tiapkin met with the President of the Republic of Cyprus, Nikos Christodoulides, at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia on October 19. The discussion centered on the development of chess in Cyprus, which has become a significant European chess hub since Freedom Holding Corp. became a general partner of the national federation in 2023.

During the meeting, Turlov presented strategic plans for the island's continued growth in the sport. Turlov, who was elected FIDE president on September 26 at the federation’s congress in Samarkand, outlined his development program for 2027–2030. This initiative includes a total investment of approximately €30 million over four years. A central component of this funding is an annual development fund of €6.2 million, which represents nearly four times the previous budget. These resources are intended to support international competitions, youth development, chess education, professional training for coaches and arbiters, as well as the implementation of digital tools and the advancement of women's chess.