Viswanathan Anand, India’s first chess Grandmaster and a five-time World Chess Champion, has taken charge as the Interim President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE). He steps into the role after incumbent President Arkady Dvorkovich voluntarily suspended his duties following sanctions imposed on him by the European Union. Anand, who was serving as FIDE’s Deputy President since 2022, now leads the global governing body of chess during a critical transition period ahead of the presidential elections in September 2026.
Who Is Viswanathan Anand?
Chess Career and World Titles
Viswanathan Anand was born on December 11, 1969, in Mayiladuthurai, Tamil Nadu. He learned chess from his mother at the age of six and quickly rose through the ranks. He became India’s first International Master at age 15 by winning the 1984 Asian Junior Championship, and claimed the World Junior Championship in 1987. In 1988, he became India’s first Grandmaster.
Anand is the 15th undisputed World Chess Champion and one of only a handful of players in history to win the world title in three different formats: knockout, tournament, and match play. He won the World Chess Championship in 2000 (FIDE title), and then the unified world championship in 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2012. He held the undisputed title for six consecutive years until losing to Magnus Carlsen in 2013. Anand also won the World Rapid Championship twice, in 2003 and 2017, demonstrating his versatility across time formats.
His career longevity is remarkable. He competed in Candidates tournaments spanning from 1993 to 2016, a 23-year stretch that few in chess history can match.
Awards and Recognitions
Anand has received all three of India’s major civilian Padma awards: the Padma Shri in 1987, the Padma Bhushan in 2000, and the Padma Vibhushan in 2007, making him the first sportsperson ever to receive the Padma Vibhushan. He was also the first recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award (now renamed Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna) in 1991-1992, India’s highest sporting honour, and received the Arjuna Award in 1985.
What Is FIDE?
FIDE stands for Federation Internationale des Echecs (International Chess Federation). It was founded in Paris, France, on July 20, 1924, making it one of the oldest international sports federations in the world. Its motto is “Gens una sumus”, Latin for “We are one Family.” The organization is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland.
FIDE’s Role and Structure
FIDE is the global governing body for competitive chess. It defines the rules of the game, calculates and maintains the Elo rating system for players worldwide, and awards prestigious titles such as Grandmaster (GM) and International Master (IM). It also organizes the World Chess Championship, the Candidates Tournament, the Chess Olympiad (a biennial team event), and world championships for women, juniors, seniors, and disabled players.
FIDE was recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in 1999. It currently has 203 member national federations from across the world. The organization’s budget for 2026 was approximately 18.85 million euros.
| Key Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Federation Internationale des Echecs (FIDE) |
| Founded | July 20, 1924, in Paris, France |
| Headquarters | Lausanne, Switzerland |
| Member Federations | 203 |
| Motto | ”Gens una sumus” (We are one Family) |
| IOC Recognition | 1999 |
Why Did Dvorkovich Step Aside?
EU Sanctions and the 21st Package
Arkady Dvorkovich, a Russian economist and former Deputy Prime Minister of Russia (2012-2018), was first elected FIDE President in October 2018 and re-elected in 2022. On July 23, 2026, the European Union added him to its 21st sanctions package against Russia, which was introduced in response to Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
The EU’s official sanctions entry accused Dvorkovich of using his position as FIDE President to support Russian policies that undermine Ukraine’s territorial integrity. It cited his previous senior roles in the Russian government and his membership in the Russian Chess Federation’s Board of Trustees, which included other sanctioned Russian officials. The EU also noted that the Russian federation had organized tournaments in the occupied Ukrainian territories of Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson.
The sanctions impose an asset freeze on Dvorkovich, a travel ban preventing him from entering or transiting through the EU’s 27 member states, and a prohibition on EU citizens and companies from making funds or economic resources available to him.
Dvorkovich’s Response
In a statement published on FIDE’s website, Dvorkovich called the sanctions “unlawful and unfair” and said he would challenge them through all available legal means. However, he acknowledged that the sanctions could “hinder the stable functioning of FIDE” and therefore voluntarily suspended his powers and duties as President with immediate effect, for as long as the sanctions remain in force under EU and Swiss law.
The FIDE Council accepted and ratified his decision, and in accordance with Article 19.2 of the FIDE Charter, Anand, as Deputy President, was designated to serve as Interim President for the duration of Dvorkovich’s suspension.
What Happens Next?
Election in Samarkand
The 2026 FIDE Presidential election is scheduled for September 26, 2026, during the FIDE General Assembly in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. This election will determine the next permanent President. Multiple candidates have submitted their tickets, including German entrepreneur Jan Henric Buettner and Russian-Kazakh businessman Wadim Rosenstein. Notably, former FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov, who led the organization for 23 years until 2018, also announced his candidacy.
This is not the first time FIDE has faced a leadership crisis due to international sanctions. In 2015, then-President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov was sanctioned by the US Treasury for his ties with the Syrian government, which led to FIDE’s bank accounts being frozen. He was eventually forced to step down, and Georgios Makropoulos served as acting president until the 2018 elections.
Anand will serve as Interim President until a new President is elected in September. His appointment ensures continuity and stability in the governance of international chess during this politically sensitive period.
Key Takeaways
- Viswanathan Anand, India’s first chess Grandmaster and five-time World Chess Champion (2000, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012), has assumed charge as Interim President of FIDE.
- He took over after incumbent President Arkady Dvorkovich voluntarily suspended his duties following his inclusion in the EU’s 21st sanctions package against Russia in July 2026.
- Anand was elected FIDE Deputy President in August 2022 as part of Dvorkovich’s administration and was elevated under Article 19.2 of the FIDE Charter.
- FIDE (Federation Internationale des Echecs) was founded in Paris in 1924, is headquartered in Lausanne, Switzerland, and has 203 member federations.
- Anand is the first sportsperson to receive the Padma Vibhushan (2007) and was the first recipient of the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award (1991-1992).
- The 2026 FIDE elections will be held on September 26 in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, to elect the next permanent President.
