FIDE Election 2026: The Battle for the World Chess Throne

September 9, 2026 Share ~1350 words | Reading time: 7 minutes

News · FIDE · World Chess

The world of chess is about to turn a new page. On September 26, 2026, in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, the General Assembly of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) will elect its new president. Three tickets are in the running, each driven by a different vision for the future of the game. Let's look back at a campaign that has been stirring the chess community for several weeks.

 

A Seat to Be Filled After Dvorkovich's Withdrawal

The succession opened earlier than expected: Arkady Dvorkovich, head of FIDE since 2018, withdrew from the race. Since then, Viswanathan Anand, five-time world champion and interim president, has been overseeing the transition pending the election. His standing in the chess world is not neutral in this election: he is now engaged as a running mate on one of the three tickets.

🕰️ While the tickets compete, time continues to tick on chessboards worldwide — as on our chess clocks

Three Tickets, Three Visions for World Chess

The campaign revolves around three presidential candidates, each accompanied by a vice-president well-known in the chess world.

Timur Turlov, a Kazakh billionaire at the head of Freedom Holding and president of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, positioned himself at the top of the list after Dvorkovich's withdrawal. He advocates for continuity with the outgoing leadership team while aiming to develop the commercial potential of the game. His running mate is none other than Viswanathan Anand, a prestigious endorsement for this ticket.

Jan Henric Buettner is banking on institutional experience: he has teamed up with English International Master Malcolm Pein, a key figure in British and European chess, known for his solid administrative background.

Wadim Rosenstein, on the other hand, forms a ticket with Gordon Tang, a businessman involved in the development of chess in Asia. Rosenstein was the first of the three candidates to accept Europe Échecs' invitation to present his project in detail.

♟️ Three visions, one board: enough to make you want to play another game on Our Chessboards.

A High-Tension Debate on September 9

A rare event in FIDE's history: the three candidates are scheduled to meet for a major public debate on September 9, 2026, hosted by Grandmaster Maurice Ashley on the Chess.com platform. The deadline comes just days before the decisive election on September 26, making it an event watched by the entire international chess community.

This debate format, unusual for a federal election of this type, illustrates the extent to which the stakes—commercial development, governance, the place of online play—divide the three tickets.

👕 A debate that can be followed as well in the stands as in a timely t-shirt: discover the collection of Chess Apparel.

See You on September 26 in Samarkand

The verdict will be delivered at the FIDE General Assembly in Samarkand. National member federations will vote to select the ticket that will lead world chess for the next cycle. Beyond the name of the winner, the entire direction of the discipline—its governance, its relationship with online play, its commercial development—will be shaped by this election.

☕ While waiting for the results, it's best to follow comfortably, mug in hand from the Chess Mugs collection.

Summary Table

FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions

Why is FIDE holding an election in 2026? Because Arkady Dvorkovich, president since 2018, withdrew from the race, opening the way for a new presidency. Viswanathan Anand is serving as interim president until the election.

Who are the candidates for the FIDE presidency in 2026? Three tickets are in the running: Timur Turlov (with Viswanathan Anand), Jan Henric Buettner (with Malcolm Pein), and Wadim Rosenstein (with Gordon Tang).

When and where will the election take place? The vote will be held on September 26, 2026, during the FIDE General Assembly in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

Where can I watch the debate between the candidates? The public debate between the three candidates will be hosted by Grandmaster Maurice Ashley and broadcast on Chess.com, on September 9, 2026.

Table of Contents

• A Seat to Be Filled After Dvorkovich's Withdrawal
• Three Tickets, Three Visions for World Chess
• A High-Tension Debate on September 9
• See You on September 26 in Samarkand
• Summary Table
• FAQ