Viswanathan Anand Takes Over as Interim FIDE President Following EU Sanctions on Arkady Dvorkovich
Chess legend Viswanathan Anand has taken over as the interim President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) today, July 24, 2026. This leadership change follows FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich's voluntary suspension of duties after being included in the EU's 21st sanctions package over Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Global chess has entered an unexpected interim phase of leadership as five-time World Champion Viswanathan Anand officially stepped in as the Interim President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE) today. The move comes after FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, 54, voluntarily suspended his powers and duties, effective immediately, following his inclusion in the European Union's 21st sanctions package against Russia. Vladimir Kramnik Banned: FIDE Bans Former Chess World Champion for Ethics Breaches.
Viswanathan Anand Named Interim FIDE President
Statement by FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich
Today, the EU decision to include my name in the 21st sanctions list was published. I want to state unequivocally that I consider this decision unlawful and unfair, and this decision will be immediately challenged by all possible… pic.twitter.com/SmiinxF71u
— International Chess Federation (@FIDE_chess) July 23, 2026
Dvorkovich, a former Russian Deputy Prime Minister, vehemently called the sanctions “unlawful and unfair” and vowed to challenge them through all available legal means. However, to ensure the stable functioning of FIDE, he decided to temporarily step aside, acknowledging that the restrictive measures could otherwise hinder the federation's operations.
Sanctions and Allegations
The EU's 21st sanctions package, unveiled this week, specifically targeted Dvorkovich for allegedly leveraging his position as FIDE president to support Russian policies undermining Ukraine's territorial integrity. The EU cited his past senior roles in the Russian government, including his tenure as Deputy Prime Minister from 2012 to 2018, and noted the Kremlin's public celebration of his 2022 re-election as a “victory” for Moscow.
Further accusations by the EU include Dvorkovich's public support for the annexation of Crimea and his reference to occupied Ukrainian cities as Russia's “new territories.” His membership on the Russian Chess Federation's Board of Trustees was also highlighted, with the EU alleging the federation organized tournaments in illegally annexed regions such as Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, and that Dvorkovich played a key role in those decisions.
Viswanathan Anand's Interim Role
In accordance with Article 19.2 of the FIDE Charter, Deputy President Viswanathan Anand, the 15th World Champion, is mandated to assume the interim presidency for as long as Dvorkovich remains subject to the EU and Swiss sanctions. Anand, who joined Dvorkovich's ticket as Deputy President in 2022, will lead the global chess body during this period of uncertainty.
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Key Facts of FIDE Leadership Change
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who (Out) | Arkady Dvorkovich (FIDE President) |
| Who (In) | Viswanathan Anand (FIDE Interim President) |
| What | Dvorkovich voluntarily suspended duties; Anand assumed interim role |
| When | Sanctions published: July 23, 2026; Anand took over: July 24, 2026 |
| Why | EU sanctions against Dvorkovich over alleged support for Russian policies undermining Ukraine's territorial integrity. |
| Mechanism | Article 19.2 of FIDE Charter triggered |
| Duration | As long as Dvorkovich is under EU/Swiss sanctions |
Upcoming FIDE Elections
The FIDE elections are still scheduled to take place in September in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, between September 20 and 27, 2026. Dvorkovich had previously announced his intention to seek a third term as FIDE President. Anand, while stepping into the interim role, had previously stated that he would not contest for the Deputy President's post again but would remain part of Dvorkovich's campaign team for the upcoming elections. The impact of Dvorkovich's sanctioning on the upcoming presidential race, particularly regarding his candidacy and the potential for a new running mate, remains to be seen.
This leadership change marks a significant moment for FIDE, navigating geopolitical complexities while ensuring the continuity of global chess governance under the interim stewardship of one of its most celebrated figures.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 24, 2026 11:10 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
