Freedom24 – Timur Turlov, CEO of Freedom Holding Corp. and president of the Kazakh Chess Federation, has announced that he will run for the office of president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE). The leadership elections will take place on September 26 and 27, 2026, in Samarkand, Uzbekistan—as part of the organization’s General Assembly and in conjunction with the 46th Chess Olympiad.
The announcement follows Turlov’s earlier nomination for the office of FIDE Vice President. “Today, an organization with a century of history stands at a crossroads. The progress we have made cannot be stopped or reversed. I believe it must be intensified, infused with new energy, and driven forward. That is why I have decided to announce my candidacy for the presidency of the International Chess Federation,” Turlov explained.
He has led the Kazakh Chess Federation since 2023, has overseen a comprehensive modernization of the country’s chess sector, and has invested more than 75 million U.S. dollars in the development of the sport. Under his leadership, Kazakhstan has hosted the Men’s World Championship and the World Team Championships in rapid and blitz chess. In addition, Almaty, Kazakhstan, will soon host the World University Chess Championship. Since 2024, he has also served as president of the International School Chess Federation.
He emphasized that the decision went beyond personal ambitions. “Ihave many projects in my life where I can realize my potential as an entrepreneur and leader. This decision stems from something entirely different: I am sincerely convinced that World Chess today offers a unique opportunity to take the next step in its development. If my experience can be of use to the international chess community, then it is worth taking on this responsibility, ”he commented.
Turlov’s program is based on three areas: digitalization and AI, chess in schools, and the financial sustainability of national federations.
The central digital initiative is a unified FIDE platform designed to offer every player a single account with rating history, tournament records, online competitions, and educational content—with equal access for all federations. It would also include AI-based tools for game analysis, training support, and fair play monitoring. The approach builds on KazChess ID, the unified digital ecosystem that the Kazakh Chess Federation is currently finalizing. “If this approach works at the national level, there’s no reason why it couldn’t be scaled up to the international federation,” Turlov explained.
When it comes to chess in schools, he intends to build on both Kazakhstan’s experience and the practices of the International School Chess Federation. In Kazakhstan, the national “Chess in Education” program already includes more than 1,500 schools and over 60,000 students. In terms of financial policy, Turlov proposes helping national federations develop sustainable sources of revenue through partnerships, sponsorship programs, and professional asset management.
Turlov confirmed that Viswanathan Anand, who has served as FIDE Vice President since 2022, will run as a candidate for the office of Vice President on his ticket. “Vishy needs no introduction in the chess world. He is one of the greatest chess players in history and a highly respected figure on every continent. In recent years, he has proven himself to be a very strong leader with a deep understanding of how FIDE operates. His participation in our team is a guarantee of continuity and the preservation of the excellent work already accomplished. For me personally, it is a great honor that Vishy has agreed to join our team,” said Turlov.
He also placed the election campaign in a broader context. “The team running for office is truly international, and I represent Kazakhstan—precisely the ‘middle power’ our president spoke of. FIDE unites some 200 national federations representing diverse cultures, regions, and interests, and it is precisely here that it is particularly important to find balance and solutions that serve the entire chess community. I am confident that I can bring to the federation’s work the principles of balance and respectful dialogue, which are hallmarks of Kazakhstan’s foreign policy,” he emphasized.
Caption/Photo credits: Timur Turlov, CEO of Freedom Holding Corp., and Viswanathan Anand, FIDE Vice President. © Freedom Holding Corp.