The World Chess Federation (FIDE) will elect its new president on September 26 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. This election comes as Arkady Dvorkovich, the current president, has withdrawn from the election due to European Union sanctions and support for the war in Ukraine.
Three-Way Competition for the FIDE Presidency
In this round of elections, three candidates are competing: Timur Turlov, a Kazakh billionaire, Jan Henrik Boettcher, a German investor, and Vadim Rosenstein, a German entrepreneur who has been nominated as the official candidate of the German Chess Federation (DSB). For the first time in over 30 years, the presidency of FIDE will be held by a non-Russian individual.
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Turlov, who acquired Kazakh citizenship in 2022, is known as one of Dvorkovich's closest associates, raising concerns in the chess community. He has been particularly criticized for his financial ties and connections to the Kremlin. Additionally, his financial company, Freedom Holding Corp, is recognized as one of the main sponsors of FIDE, which has raised further concerns.
Challenges and Criticisms of the Candidates
Jan Henrik Boettcher, who is known for his collaboration with former chess champion Magnus Carlsen, is seen as the best option to address questions related to taxes and connections with Russia. He and his colleagues are seeking to reduce dependence on Russian financial backers and commercialize chess.
Vadim Rosenstein, who was born in Ukraine and moved to Germany at the age of nine, is also facing severe criticism. He manages various businesses in Germany and Russia and has been under scrutiny since 2022 due to his business activities in Russia. Rosenstein claims he no longer has ties with Russia and is looking to expand his businesses in 70 other countries.
As the election day approaches, more clarity has emerged regarding the challenges facing the candidates, and this election could have profound impacts on the future of chess globally. Meanwhile, reactions to the potential victories of Turlov and Rosenstein from Ukrainian officials highlight the political implications of this election.
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