Timur Turlov spoke about the problem of national chess federations during FIDE presidential elections. Turlov states that he wants to change the election culture and make the process less stressful. Timur notes that the changes will benefit the chess community. Turlov spoke about it in an interview with FIDE.

Timur Turlov

Timur Turlov

Incumbent FIDE President

“[Question: I’ve heard that delegates are so important during election time but after they feel forgotten, because they have fulfilled their role. What comment do you have on that?]

I definitely want to apply efforts to build trust and integrity among delegates and change this culture dramatically.

I want to pay much more attention between elections. And maybe make the election process less stressful for everyone. Because we have to build this trust in advance. And not let delegates expect this hard campaigning for a month and then be forgotten for some years.

So yes, we definitely have to change that. It will be to the benefit of the community. And that should be a major cultural change that I will start to work on immediately.”

The FIDE Presidential Election 2026 took place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan on September 26. Timur Turlov won the election by defeating Wadim Rosenstein 110 votes to 85 in the second round. In the election, one delegate from each of 195 countries casts a vote with equal weight.

Credit: Michal Walusza / FIDE