Timur Turlov Elected FIDE President, Promises Digital Overhaul

Turlov, who currently leads the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, ran on a platform emphasizing structural reform and professionalization. His administration includes five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand, who remains in his role as Deputy President to provide institutional continuity. The new leadership faces the challenge of managing nearly 200 member federations while pursuing the long-term goal of integrating chess into the official Olympic program.

Central to Turlov’s strategy is a commitment of over $8.5 million in development funding, intended to bolster resources for national federations. He plans to deploy a unified digital platform that consolidates player ratings, education tools, and competition data. Drawing on his experience as CEO of the Nasdaq-listed Freedom Holding Corp., Turlov has promised to implement independent external audits and regular public disclosure of major commercial agreements. His agenda also prioritizes the integration of chess into global school curricula, building on his previous work with the International School Chess Federation.