Timur Turlov Wins FIDE Election As Billionaire Takes Control Of World Chess
Timur Turlov was elected FIDE President today in Samarkand, winning the runoff 110–85 over Wadim Rosenstein after taking 96 votes in the first round (one short of an outright majority; Jan Henric Buettner took 20).
Timur Turlov was elected FIDE President in Samarkand on Saturday, winning the runoff 110–85 over Wadim Rosenstein after taking 96 votes in the first round (one short of an outright majority; Jan Henric Buettner took 20).
At 38, Turlov is the second youngest president in FIDE's history, after Kirsan Ilyumzhinov. Turlov succeeds Arkady Dvorkovich, who led FIDE from 2018.
Turlov is the founder and CEO of Nasdaq-listed Freedom Holding Corp., FIDE's principal commercial partner, and has run the Kazakhstan Chess Federation since 2023. He renounced Russian citizenship for Kazakh in 2022.
♟ Timur Turlov (@TurlovforChess) was elected President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE). The elections were held on 26 September at the FIDE General Assembly, alongside the 46th Chess Olympiad, in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. Turlov won in the second round, with 110 votes.… pic.twitter.com/CtiTudeXRC
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) September 26, 2026
His pitch was financial muscle and federation-level investment—he says he has already put around $30 million into chess—and on Russia he backs the current CAS-driven suspension while leaving the door open to reinstatement if conditions are met.
In comments released by FIDE following the election, Turlov said: "We are all one family, and we will continue working as one. This is a great responsibility and a vote for a better future of our sport.
"I am grateful to everyone who supported my campaign and to everyone who took part in this election. We may have different opinions, but we all share one belief – that chess is important and that we can do much more to develop it around the world by making our Member Federations stronger and more independent," he added.
"I look forward to moving chess forward and giving the game the spotlight it deserves," Turlov concluded.
Read more: FIDE election 2026 overview
In his congratulations to Timur Turlov, former FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich wished him success in his work.
"Timur has already done a great deal for chess, and I am sure he will do even more now as FIDE President. He and his team have the energy, a clear plan, and resources to deliver and this election result shows Timur has significant backing. We are all one family, and we all share the same goal – for chess to be bigger, better and stronger in the world," Dvorkovich said.
Buettner was gracious in defeat and quickly congratulated Turlov and Anand following the result.
"The member federations of FIDE have made their decision," he said. "That decision deserves our full respect. I wish the new leadership every success, because when FIDE succeeds, chess succeeds."
Buettner thanked the federations that met with him and deputy presidential candidate Malcolm Pein during the campaign, including those that ultimately supported another ticket.
He said that travelling to meet people across the chess world, hearing what federations need and learning from their experience had been one of the most valuable parts of the campaign.
