Wadim Rosenstein Requests Review of Timur Turlov’s Eligibility for 2026 FIDE Presidential Election

Wadim Rosenstein

WR Chess CEO

“I believe four issues require immediate and transparent clarification:

1. Russian citizenship and passport status

Publicly available documentation appears to show that Mr. Turlov was issued a Russian passport on June 5, 2018, with an expiry date of June 5, 2028.

Mr. Turlov has publicly stated that he renounced Russian citizenship. However, statements in the media are not, by themselves, formal proof that the legal process of renunciation was completed.

Given the importance of this matter for the FIDE elections, I believe Mr. Turlov should provide the Electoral Commission with official documentation establishing the date and legal basis on which his Russian citizenship ceased, if it indeed ceased.

This question should not be decided through speculation. It should be established through documentary evidence.

2. Ukrainian sanctions

Mr. Turlov has been subject to Ukrainian sanctions. In my view, this is a material matter that should have been transparently disclosed and assessed because sanctions against a candidate for the presidency of an international sports federation may create significant legal, banking, commercial and reputational risks for the organization.

After Ukraine imposed sanctions on Mr. Turlov in October 2022, he publicly stated in December 2022 that Kazakhstan was becoming ‘The new Switzerland for Russians.’

The Electoral Commission should determine whether all relevant sanctions information was properly disclosed and whether it creates any incompatibility or material risk under FIDE’s electoral and governance framework.

3. ChessBase banking issue

Following Mr. Turlov’s acquisition of ChessBase, it was publicly reported that Hamburger Sparkasse terminated the company’s business banking relationship.

This raises an obvious question for FIDE — could similar compliance or banking difficulties arise for the international chess federation if Mr. Turlov became its President?

FIDE manages international financial relationships, sponsorship agreements, prize funds and payments involving federations and players across the world. The Electoral Commission therefore has a responsibility to examine any material financial-compliance risks associated with a presidential candidate.

4. Transparency regarding the claimed $75 million investment in chess

Mr. Turlov has publicly stated that he has spent approximately $75 million on chess and that he is prepared to account for every cent. I therefore invite him to do exactly that.

Please, Mr. Turlov, disclose to the chess community which companies, organizations, tournaments, federations and projects received this money, the amounts involved, and the relevant dates.

If the figure can be documented — publish the documentation. If it cannot, the statement should be corrected or withdrawn.

This is not about personal attacks. It is about the standards we expect from anyone seeking to lead the world chess federation.

FIDE needs stability, transparency and trust.”