Could Russia be about to lose its grip on chess leadership?
Russians have long pulled the strings when it comes to the governing body of international chess. But now two Germans are vying for FIDE's top
Russians have long pulled the strings when it comes to the governing body of international chess. But now two Germans are vying for FIDE's top job. International Chess Federation (FIDE) President Arkady Dvorkovich isn't going anywhere – at least if he has things his way. "FIDE must become even more open, efficient, and responsive," the former Russian deputy prime minister said in late June when announcing his candidacy for a third term. The Russian was first elected to the post in 2018. The sanctions imposed on Russian sports over the war in Ukraine have thus far failed to checkmate the 54-year-old economist and politician. On the contrary, in August 2022, months after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Dvorkovich was re-elected by a large majority. Yet Russia lost its dominance at the chessboard long ago; recent world champions have come from China and India. Within FIDE, however, Russian influence remains substantial. Little happens within the organization without funding that is directly or indirectly linked to Russia. One of FIDE's key sponsors is financier Timur Turlov. Although he became a Kazakh citizen in 2022, he is originally from Russia. Turlov is now running to become a FIDE vice president under Dvorkovich. India: Why Tamil Nadu state is a chess powerhouse To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Challengers from Germany However, the vote in September could prove to be a tight race, as two Germans have announced their candidacies for the presidency. The congress in Uzbekistan could thus see a three-way contest for the votes of the approximately 200 national delegates. "I still consider Arkady Dvorkovich the favorite in this race," Peter Heine Neilsen, the coach of former world champion Magnus Carlsen of Norway, said. However, should he be put under EU (European Union) sanctions this could change the situation. Jan Henric Buettner has been working to helpestablish "freestyle" chess as a format of the game Image: Marcus Brandt/dpa/picture alliance Neilsen, of Denmark, was on the ticket with Ukrainian grandmaster Andrey Baryshpolets, when he unsuccessfully ran for FIDE president in 2022.
This time, he is backing German investor Jan Henric Buettner. The former internet executive's goal is "to improve transparency and create sustainable, long-term growth for our sport." Buettner's candidate for vice president is the veteran English chess official Malcolm Pein. "All over the world, chess has grown immensely over the last five years – but FIDE hasn't," Pein told DW. "We want to change that." According to Pein, a key challenge for FIDE is attracting new sponsors who have no ties to Russia. The Englishman is an outspoken critic of Russia's dominance of FIDE. However, the fact that Buettner is now seeking to become the head of FIDE has surprised some in the chess world. Buettner has spent recent years helping former world champion Carlsen to establish "freestyle" chess—a variant in which the starting position is determined by a draw, rendering memorized opening moves irrelevant. However, to many, he comes across more like an outgoing startup entrepreneur than a future federation president holding a diplomatic passport. Turning Nigeria's slums into a chess classroom To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video DSB backs Rosenstein "I cannot fathom Jan Henric Buettner's candidacy, nor do I think it has any chance of success," Paul Meyer-Dunker, president of the German Chess Federation (DSB) told DW. "Buettner did not contact us before announcing his candidacy, nor did he collaborate with the DSB on his freestyle activities." The DSB are pinning their hopes on another German: Wadim Rosenstein. The 35-year-old entrepreneur from Düsseldorf has been financing and organizing top-tier chess events worldwide since 2022. He even participates himself as an amateur player sometimes. His vision is to make FIDE "one of the most respected institutions" in international sports. "Wadim Rosenstein is someone who doesn't just talk; he takes action," Meyer-Dunker stressed. By his own account, Rosenstein has invested millions of euros in the sport of chess over the past few years, in part through his company WR Logistics, which has been a major sponsor of FIDE international events.
The BriefWire