Viswanathan Anand was announced the interim president of FIDE — International Chess Federation — after its president Arkady Dvorkovich stepped aside from the role on Friday following his inclusion in the European Union sanction list linked to Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Anand, the FIDE deputy president and world champion, took over the role as per Article 19.2 of the FIDE charter. The FIDE president elections are scheduled to be held in September.
“In accordance with article 19.2 of the FIDE Charter, Mr. Anand Viswanathan, Deputy President of FIDE, shall act as Interim President as long as Mr. Dvorkovich is subject to the restrictive measures provided by the Swiss and EU laws and regulations in force,” FIDE said in statement.
FIDE accepted Dvorkovich’s decision and suspended his rights, duties, and prerogatives as the president. He won’t be able to hold, or control FIDE and its assets at any capacity.
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Dvorkovich was among 48 individuals in EU’s 21st package of sanctions apart from 170 entities, making it the bloc’s largest sanctions round in four years.
Dvorkovich, who has also served as the deputy prime minister of Russia between 2012 to 2018, said that he would challenge EU’s decision by all means and voluntarily suspended his duties.
“I would like to emphasise that I believe in the FIDE Council and I am confident that the FIDE Council and administration will overcome all challenges and do the utmost to safeguard the continuous work of FIDE, its events and social programs,” Dvorkovich said.
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Published on Jul 24, 2026