Viswanathan Anand takes charge as FIDE interim president after EU sanctions Dvorkovich
Synopsis
For the first time in modern chess history, geopolitical sanctions have displaced a sitting FIDE president. Arkady Dvorkovich's inclusion in the EU's 21st Russia sanctions package — the largest since the Ukraine war began — has handed Viswanathan Anand the interim presidency, placing India's greatest chess icon at the helm of the world's most powerful chess body ahead of a high-stakes General Assembly in Uzbekistan.
Key Takeaways
Viswanathan Anand assumed charge as FIDE interim president on 24 July under Article 19.2 of the FIDE Charter.
Arkady Dvorkovich was listed in the EU's 21st Russia sanctions package , which includes 218 listings — 48 individuals and 170 entities .
Dvorkovich voluntarily suspended his presidential powers and vowed to legally challenge the sanctions, calling them 'unlawful and unfair.' The FIDE Council formally ratified Dvorkovich's suspension and Anand's interim assumption of duties.
Anand has served as FIDE Deputy President since 2022 ; he will contest the deputy president post at the 46th Chess Olympiad General Assembly in Uzbekistan in September .
Timur Turlov of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation has been named as the candidate for the FIDE presidential role.
Viswanathan Anand, the five-time world chess champion and India's most celebrated grandmaster, assumed charge as interim president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) on 24 July after incumbent president Arkady Dvorkovich was listed in the European Union's 21st sanctions package against Russia. The transition invokes Article 19.2 of the FIDE Charter, which mandates that the Deputy President assume presidential duties when the president is subject to restrictive measures under Swiss and EU law.
The EU Sanctions That Triggered the Shift
The European Commission on 24 July welcomed the adoption by EU member states of the 21st package of Russia sanctions, the most expansive since the war in Ukraine began. The package contains 218 additional listings — 48 individuals and 170 entities. Dvorkovich, who has led FIDE since 2018, was among the individuals named, making him subject to asset freezes, a prohibition on access to funds and economic resources, and a travel ban.
Dvorkovich Suspends Himself, Contests the Decision
Arkady Dvorkovich responded swiftly, announcing a voluntary suspension of his presidential powers with immediate effect. 'Today, the EU decision to include my name in the 21st sanctions list was published. I want to state unequivocally that I consider this decision unlawful and unfair, and this decision will be immediately challenged by all possible means. I am confident that justice will prevail,' Dvorkovich said in a statement.
In a separate statement, he confirmed his decision to step aside: 'I have decided to voluntarily suspend the exercise of my powers and duties as FIDE President with immediate effect and for as long as I remain subject to sanctions under the EU and Swiss laws and regulations. In accordance with the FIDE Charter, the duties of the President will be assumed by the FIDE Deputy President, the 15th World Champion, Viswanathan Anand,' he added. The FIDE Council formally accepted and ratified Dvorkovich's decision.
Anand's New Role and the September Election
Anand, who has served as FIDE Deputy President since 2022, steps into the interim role at a pivotal moment for global chess governance. Notably, just last month Dvorkovich had announced his intention to seek a third successive term as FIDE president at the federation's General Assembly in September. That plan is now in serious doubt.
Anand himself has indicated he will contest the deputy president post at the upcoming presidential election, to be held during the General Assembly at the 46th Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan in September. Timur Turlov, president of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, has been named as the candidate for the presidential role.
What FIDE Said
In its official statement, FIDE specified that Dvorkovich 'will not exercise the responsibilities, duties, rights and prerogatives provided by the FIDE Charter, particularly article 18 of the FIDE Charter, and other regulations as long as the measures provided by the Swiss ordinance on Ukraine-related measures and EU Regulation No 269/2014 are in force.' FIDE further clarified that Dvorkovich shall not act in the capacity of 'owner, holder or controller' of FIDE or its assets for the duration of the sanctions.
The transition marks the first time in FIDE's modern history that its president has been displaced by geopolitical sanctions, placing Anand — and Indian chess — at the centre of global chess administration ahead of a consequential General Assembly.
Point of View
Headquartered in Switzerland, now faces a structural test: can it function credibly under an interim president while its elected head fights sanctions in court? Anand's ascent is symbolically powerful, but the real question is whether the September General Assembly will produce a leadership structure that can hold together a federation whose membership spans both sanctioning and sanctioned nations. The Dvorkovich era brought commercial ambition to FIDE; what it leaves behind is a governance vacuum that the chess world must fill before Uzbekistan.
NationPress
24 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has Viswanathan Anand become FIDE interim president?
Anand became FIDE interim president because incumbent president Arkady Dvorkovich was included in the EU's 21st sanctions package against Russia on 24 July, subjecting him to asset freezes and a travel ban. Under Article 19.2 of the FIDE Charter, the Deputy President assumes presidential duties when the president is subject to such restrictive measures under Swiss and EU law.
What is the EU's 21st sanctions package against Russia?
The EU's 21st sanctions package against Russia, adopted by EU member states and welcomed by the European Commission on 24 July, is the most extensive since the Ukraine war began. It includes 218 new listings — 48 individuals and 170 entities — with measures including asset freezes, bans on access to funds, and travel bans.
What did Arkady Dvorkovich say about the sanctions?
Dvorkovich called the EU decision 'unlawful and unfair' and said he would challenge it 'by all possible means,' expressing confidence that 'justice will prevail.' He simultaneously announced a voluntary suspension of his FIDE presidential powers for as long as the sanctions remain in force.
Who will become the next permanent FIDE president?
The FIDE presidential election is scheduled at the General Assembly during the 46th Chess Olympiad in Uzbekistan in September. Timur Turlov, president of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, has been named as the candidate for the presidential role. Dvorkovich had announced plans for a third term before the sanctions intervened.
What role will Anand play at the September FIDE elections?
Anand has indicated he will contest the deputy president post at the September General Assembly election rather than the presidency. He has served as FIDE Deputy President since 2022 and will continue in the interim presidential role until the sanctions against Dvorkovich are lifted or a formal court decision is rendered.
