The world of international chess has been rocked by the sudden departure of Arkady Dvorkovich, President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE), following his inclusion on the European Union's sanctions list. The 54-year-old Russian politician, once a key adviser to the Kremlin and former deputy prime minister, now faces a travel ban and asset freeze in the EU - a move that could have far-reaching consequences for global chess competitions.
The EU has cited Dvorkovich's public backing of Russia's annexation of Crimea and his description of occupied Ukrainian cities as "new territories" of the Russian Federation as grounds for imposing sanctions. His role on the board of the Chess Federation of Russia, which has organised tournaments in Ukraine-controlled areas, is also under scrutiny. Dvorkovich, who has led FIDE since 2018, dismissed the sanctions as "unlawful and unfair", claiming they were designed to bar him from serving FIDE.
The move has been welcomed by Ukrainian officials, with Volodymyr Kovalchuk, first vice president of the Ukrainian Chess Federation, hailing it as a significant victory for his country. Malcolm Pein, England's representative to FIDE, echoed this sentiment, describing Dvorkovich's departure as "a massive diplomatic victory" that could lead to a reduction in Russia's influence over world chess.
Dvorkovich's tenure at FIDE has been marked by controversy, particularly since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than four years ago. Despite a ban on Russian teams competing internationally, critics argue that Moscow's grip on FIDE intensified under his leadership, with accusations of a "slow takeover" involving rule changes and pressure on other officials.
The FIDE general assembly's decision in September 2024 to maintain sanctions against Russia and Belarus - made while Dvorkovich was still at the helm - underscores the ongoing tensions within the chess community. As global interest in chess continues to soar, Dvorkovich's uncertain future raises questions about the future of leadership at FIDE.