Viswanathan Anand Reverses Decision, Joins FIDE Elections as Deputy President with Timur Turlov

Viswanathan Anand Reverses Decision, Joins FIDE Election Race as Deputy President

In a surprising turn of events, chess legend Viswanathan Anand has announced his candidacy for the position of Deputy President in the upcoming FIDE elections, aligning himself with Timur Turlov, who is vying for the presidency. This decision marks a significant shift from Anand’s earlier intention to step back from FIDE to spend more time with his family.

Anand, who currently serves as FIDE’s Interim President, had previously expressed a desire to prioritize family commitments, particularly as his son approaches university age. “I simply wanted to have more time at home,” Anand stated earlier. “These are the years I should be here. That was a big motivation to get a different role.” However, recent developments in the election landscape have prompted him to reconsider.

The catalyst for Anand’s change of heart was the unexpected exit of current FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich from the election race due to European Union sanctions, which complicated his ability to continue in the role. This shift allowed Turlov to transition from a Deputy President candidate to a presidential contender, prompting Anand to join him as his running mate.

In a heartfelt message on social media platform X, Anand elaborated on his decision, stating, “Over the past four years, it has been an honour to work at FIDE and contribute to the development of chess. Together, we have made significant progress in expanding opportunities for players, federations, and organisers, while making chess more accessible.” He expressed pride in the achievements made during his tenure but emphasized that there is still much work to be done.

Anand praised Turlov’s vision for FIDE, highlighting his commitment to making the organization more digital, financially robust, and inclusive. “I believe he has the experience and foresight to help grow the game globally,” Anand added.

As the chess community gears up for the elections during the Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Anand’s return to the FIDE leadership team is expected to bring stability and continuity to the organization. With his extensive experience and passion for the game, Anand’s involvement is likely to resonate well with chess enthusiasts around the world.

As the countdown to the elections begins, all eyes will be on Anand and Turlov as they aim to shape the future of chess on a global scale.