Wadim Rosenstein’s Press Office Demands Turlov and Dvorkovich to Cease Defamatory Claims

Wadim Rosenstein's Press Office

Media and communications department

“The Press Office of Wadim Rosenstein issues this formal statement to clarify the record and demand an end to the dissemination of false information and defamatory claims during the current FIDE election cycle.

Since March of this year, Mr. Arkady Dvorkovich has repeatedly circulated unsubstantiated claims regarding Mr. Rosenstein’s professional background. Now, Mr. Turlov, together and in collaboration with Mr. Dvorkovich are intensifying the spread of such defamatory information. Specifically, these claims allege that Mr. Rosenstein was introduced to Leonid Mikhelson and Gennady Timchenko for business purposes via a relative described as an “oligarch”.

The Press Office hereby clarifies the following facts:

Absence of Association — Wadim Rosenstein has never met, nor had any business dealings with, Leonid Mikhelson or Gennady Timchenko.

Family Integrity — The relative in question was an employed engineer who passed away in 2017. He was never involved in the business dealings mentioned, nor was he an “oligarch”.

Project Origins — The Novatek project frequently cited was awarded to Mr. Rosenstein’s company in 2018 by French and German partner firms, not by Novatek directly. This work is fully documented by recommendation letters from European clients.

Business Profile — Mr. Rosenstein’s company is a European-focused entity, serving primarily German and wider European clients.

Despite numerous private requests to cease these personal attacks, the misinformation has now been made public. Furthermore, we find it deeply concerning that Mr. Rosenstein was previously informed these “attacks would stop” contingent upon him joining a specific political team related to outgoing and withdrawn FIDE President, Mr. Arkady Dvorkovich. Such tactics have no place in the governance of the international chess community.

Leadership is defined by integrity and the fulfillment of one’s word. We remind Mr. Dvorkovich of his public commitment to resign should he face sanctions. For the health of FIDE and the global chess community, now that you are already sanctioned by the European Union. It is imperative that leaders remain accountable to their promises and maintain a standard of discourse that respects both the living and the deceased.

We ask that the focus of this campaign return to the future of chess, and that the late family members of candidates be left out of political rhetoric. This is unethical and inhuman.”