Viswanathan Anand, a five-time World Chess Champion, assumed charge as the Interim President of the International Chess Federation

Viswanathan Anand, a five-time World Chess Champion, assumed charge as the Interim President of the International Chess Federation

¨     Viswanathan Anand, a five-time World Chess Champion, assumed charge as the Interim President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) on 24 July 2026.

¨     He took over the role after Arkady Dvorkovich suspended his duties as FIDE President following European Union and Swiss sanctions. Viswanathan Anand Arkady Dvorkovich

¨     FIDE is the global governing body for chess.

¨     The acronym FIDE is derived from its French name, Fédération Internationale des Échecs.

¨     FIDE is responsible for organising World Chess Championships, framing title regulations, and maintaining the international chess rating system.

¨     Arkady Dvorkovich has served as FIDE President since 2018.

¨     He was Deputy Prime Minister of Russia from 2012 to 2018.

¨     He was included in the European Union’s 21st sanctions package, which imposed restrictive measures linked to Russia’s war against Ukraine.

¨     Viswanathan Anand was elected FIDE Deputy President in August 2022.

¨     He announced that he will not seek re-election for the post of FIDE Deputy President.

¨     Anand also stated that he would remain a member of Arkady Dvorkovich’s campaign team for the FIDE elections scheduled in September 2026 in Samarkand.