FIDE CEO Emil Sutovsky warned on social media that scammers are sending fake emails in his name. Sutovsky notes this happened to him for the first time, and calls not to downgrade the chess community. Emil suspects that this situation is connected with the FIDE Presidential elections 2026.

Emil Sutovsky

Emil Sutovsky

FIDE CEO

“For the first time ever, there are fake emails sent, signed by my name from the fake address starting with my name.

I feel it is connected to the elections in FIDE, as A — it never happened before, B — I was informed about these by my chess friends only.

It is very unfortunate things get that dirty. I can only guess who is behind it, but no matter who did it, I suggest we don’t downgrade the chess community to this level of animosity.”

Sutovsky attached an example of the fake email in the comments to his post. The sender presents themselves as Emil Sutovsky and asks for a minute of recipient’s time. The real Emil hid the contents of the scammer’s request in a screenshot.

Similar online fraud attempts have occurred in chess history. FIDE alerted about fraudulent payment requests related to FIDE World Youth Chess Championships in May. Scammers sent fake emails to national chess federations, demanding urgent tournament registration and accommodation payments. Fake emails were sent on behalf of US, English, and Bavarian Chess Federations over the last few years.

Credit: Przemek Nikiel / FIDE