Former FIDE President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov announced his candidacy for the 2026 presidential elections. Ilyumzhinov says FIDE needs unity, and states he wants to achieve the inclusion of chess in the Olympic Games.

Kirsan Ilyumzhinov

Kirsan Ilyumzhinov

Former FIDE President

“I made this decision because FIDE once again needs unity, strong leadership, and a clear understanding of its future. For me, FIDE is not just an international organization. It is the work of my entire life.

Today I commit to completing the work I started earlier: to achieve chess inclusion in the official Olympic Games program, so FIDE takes full place in the international Olympic movement.

In case of my election, I also commit to personally start negotiations with Magnus Carlsen and do everything necessary for his return to the classical World Championship cycle.”

Kirsan Ilyumzhinov is a Russian entrepreneur and politician. He served as the President of FIDE from 1995 to 2018. Ilyumzhinov was stripped of his executive powers in 2017 and formally stepped down in 2018. The reason for the end of his term was that the U.S. government placed him on a financial blacklist for political reasons.

The FIDE President election 2026 will take place at the General Assembly in Samarkand, Uzbekistan from September 26 to 27. WR Chess CEO Wadim Rosenstein, Arkady Dvorkovich, and Freestyle Chess CEO Jan Henric Buettner have submitted their applications.

Credit: Zurab Javakhadze / IZVESTIA