The race to become the next President of FIDE officially burst into life on Friday as super-rich chess organisers, Wadim Rosenstein and Jan Henric Buettner, confirmed they will stand in this year's election.
June 26 was a important day in the run-up. With nominations now open and campaigning officially underway ahead of the FIDE General Assembly in Samarkand this September, the two announcements transform what had been months of speculation into a genuine contest for the leadership of world chess.
Rosenstein, the German entrepreneur behind the growing WR Chess empire, confirmed his candidacy in a statement published on social media, ending any doubt that he would challenge incumbent Arkady Dvorkovich.
Rosenstein said: "My vision is clear: FIDE should become one of the world’s most respected institutions in international sport. And my goal is non-negotiable: FIDE needs to empower every one of its member federations."
Rosenstein has recently been installed as the FIDE delegate for the German Chess Federation (DSB) and can count on the backing of his home federation.
However, just hours later, another German entrepreneur with an interest in elite chess events, the Freestyle Chess co-founder Jan Henric Buettner, also entered the race, announcing a presidential ticket that includes English chess organiser and publisher IM Malcolm Pein as his candidate for Deputy President.
Buettner, as DSB president Paul Meyer-Dunker swiftly indicated on X, won't be endorsed by the German federation:
In a statement released on Friday, Buettner said his campaign would be guided by a simple principle: "A stronger FIDE must mean stronger national federations."
The 61-year-old recently attended the FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Team Championships in Hong Kong, which was opened by Dvorkovich and where Rosenstein played alongside GM Magnus Carlsen for his WR team.
In his announcement, Buettner said he met delegates from around the world, and decided to stand following encouragement from members of the international chess community.
"Over the past months, many respected members of the international chess community have encouraged me to stand for the Presidency of FIDE," he said.
"After extensive discussions with delegates from every continent, I have decided to accept that responsibility.
"Chess has never enjoyed greater global visibility or greater potential. The next chapter should focus on empowering our member federations, expanding opportunities for players at every level, strengthening governance and transparency, and creating sustainable long-term growth for our sport."
Rather than unveiling a detailed manifesto immediately, Buettner said the first phase of his campaign would focus on consulting every national federation before finalising his programme.
The campaign says its priorities will include strengthening national federations, attracting new commercial partnerships, growing scholastic chess, increasing opportunities for women and emerging chess nations, improving governance and transparency, accelerating digital innovation and delivering sustainable long-term growth for the global chess ecosystem.
Malcolm Pein Realigns
Pein, who had been mulling a run himself, said he was pleased to join the campaign. The English IM's inclusion on the ticket suggests Buettner's campaign will push back against Russian influence on FIDE. Pein has been an outspoken campaigner on the subject for many years.
"Jan brings a rare combination of entrepreneurial experience, international credibility and genuine passion for chess," he said.
"We share the conviction that FIDE's greatest responsibility is to serve and strengthen its member federations."
Rosenstein has yet to publish a detailed manifesto but has become one of the most influential figures in international chess through his investment in elite events via WR Chess. His decision to stand had been widely anticipated following months of speculation about a possible challenge to the current FIDE leadership.
Attention now turns to Dvorkovich, who has signalled he will seek another four-year term but has not yet formally confirmed. Having led FIDE since 2018 and won re-election in 2022, the Russian remains widely expected to stand again.
Dvorkovich has already received the backing of the Chess Federation of Russia. The CFR won't cast a vote for its man, however, as the federation that boasts the most titled players in the world had its membership of FIDE suspended this month for organising chess activities in occupied Ukrainian territories.
Russia remains a dominant influence though and still holds sway over a large bloc of votes.
If Dvorkovich goes again, it will set up what could become the most competitive presidential election in years.
More than 200 delegates from FIDE's member federations around the world will vote in the election.
They could be faced with a three-way contest when they gather in Samarkand later this year to choose who will lead world chess through the next Olympiad cycle. Or, which is more likely, we could see further machinations as the election gets nearer.