Samarkand, Uzbekistan – September 26, 2026 -- Timur Turlov has been elected President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), winning a second-round runoff vote at the FIDE General Assembly in Samarkand, becoming the first Kazakh national to lead the organization.
Turlov secures four-year mandate through 2030 on joint ticket with Anand
Turlov, who ran alongside five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand as Deputy President, takes office for a term running through 2030. Anand, FIDE Deputy President since 2022, remains in the role, providing institutional continuity to the new administration.
Freedom Holding Corp. CEO pledges $8.5 million toward federation development
Turlov, founder and CEO of Nasdaq-listed Freedom Holding Corp., has committed more than $8.5 million to FIDE's development, including a dedicated multi-year fund kept separate from the federation's operating budget. The fund is intended to double resources available to national federations and simplify grant access.
New administration plans unified digital platform for global player profiles
A central element of Turlov's program is a unified FIDE platform giving every player a single profile covering ratings, online play, and education tools, alongside upgraded infrastructure for member federations. Turlov has cited his experience building digital brokerage, banking, and fintech platforms at Freedom, which operates across the United States, Europe, the Middle East, and Central Asia, as the model for the initiative.
Governance reforms include public financial disclosure and external audits
Turlov has committed to publishing FIDE's financial statements and major commercial agreements on a regular basis, introducing an independent external audit, and appointing specialists on merit to the federation's commissions, drawing on experts from every continent. He has also pledged dedicated staff to help national federations secure sponsors, navigate government partnerships, and gain international media exposure, along with strengthened anti-cheating measures.
Turlov has led Kazakhstan Chess Federation since 2023, pushes school curriculum integration
Turlov has served as President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation since 2023 and currently heads the International School Chess Federation, where he has prioritized wider integration of chess into school curricula globally. FIDE, based in Switzerland, counts approximately 200 member federations worldwide.