Russia’s Dvorkovich decides not to vie for FIDE presidency

Lead

Arkady Dvorkovich, the president of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), has suspended his duties and will not stand for re-election in September, citing the impact of European Union sanctions against him. Dvorkovich described the sanctions as unlawful and unfair, vowing to challenge them through all available legal means. The election, scheduled for FIDE’s general assembly in Samarkand, will proceed with a field of three other candidates, as former FIDE president Kirsan Ilyumzhinov has also decided not to run.

Coverage Comparison

Reporting by TASS, the Russian state news agency, provides the principal account of Dvorkovich’s decision. The agency’s articles present Dvorkovich’s statements in direct quotes and frame his withdrawal as a voluntary step taken to protect the organization from disruption, while also noting his intention to contest the EU’s move legally. One TASS report states that Dvorkovich considers the EU’s inclusion of his name in its 21st sanctions package “unlawful and unfair.” Another TASS article, published two days later, confirms that Dvorkovich will not run again and quotes him saying that staying on would pose risks to FIDE. The agency also reports that Ilyumzhinov, who had initially told TASS he planned to run, later reversed that decision.

Key Claims

• Arkady Dvorkovich suspended his mandate as FIDE president with immediate effect on July 24, according to a FIDE press service statement carried by TASS. He said the decision was voluntary and would last as long as he remains subject to EU sanctions.
• The European Union approved its 21st package of anti-Russian sanctions on July 23, TASS reported. Dvorkovich was included in that list, a move he said he would challenge in court.
• Dvorkovich will not seek re-election when FIDE holds its presidential vote in September, as reported by TASS. He told the agency that he believed running again would not be in the best interests of the organization.
• Dvorkovich has served as FIDE president since 2018, according to TASS.
• Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, who was FIDE president from 1995 until 2018, also decided not to run in the upcoming election, TASS reported. This reversed his earlier stated intention to seek the post.
• Three other candidates are in the race: Jan Henric Buettner and Wadim Rosenstein of Germany, and Timur Turlov of Kazakhstan, TASS reported.
• FIDE deputy president Viswanathan Anand, the 15th World Champion, will assume Dvorkovich’s duties for the duration of the suspension, according to a FIDE statement carried by TASS.

Perspectives

Arkady Dvorkovich: Dvorkovich called the EU decision to sanction him unlawful and unfair, and said he would challenge it by all possible means. He voluntarily suspended his powers to avoid hindering FIDE’s stable functioning, he said in a statement, and later told TASS he would not run for re-election because doing so would pose risks to the organization.

FIDE: The International Chess Federation, through its press service, confirmed Dvorkovich’s suspension and the appointment of Viswanathan Anand as acting president. The federation will hold its presidential election during the general assembly in Samarkand in September.

Kirsan Ilyumzhinov: The former FIDE president initially told TASS on July 20 that he planned to run again, but later decided not to, TASS reported on July 26. No reason for his reversal was provided in the reports.