Politics · Singapore Bureau
Kazakh businessman Turlov elected new FIDE chess president
Timur Turlov has been elected the eighth president of the International Chess Federation following a competitive vote at the organisation's General Assembly in Samarkand. The Kazakh businessman secured the position after a closely contested election on Saturday.
LSN Singapore ·
Turlov's election marks a significant leadership transition for the world chess governing body, which convened its General Assembly in the historic Uzbek city of Samarkand for the vote. The ballot proved competitive, reflecting the stakes involved in leading one of the world's oldest and most prestigious sporting organisations.
As the eighth president of FIDE, Turlov assumes leadership of an institution responsible for organising world chess championships and maintaining the sport's regulations and ratings systems. The federation has a global membership spanning numerous chess federations across continents.
Turlov's business background and involvement in chess brings a fresh perspective to the role, occurring at a time when interest in chess has surged internationally, particularly among younger players. His election reflects the federation's desire to strengthen ties with entrepreneurial leadership and financial resources.
The FIDE presidency has historically been a high-profile position within the sporting world, with the role involving significant responsibilities in promoting chess globally and resolving disputes within the international chess community.