FIDE President Timur Turlov sets Olympic inclusion as next goal for chess

On Sept. 27, International Chess Federation (FIDE) President Timur Turlov made his first public appearance in his new role at the closing ceremony of the 46th World Chess Olympiad in Samarkand. In his speech, he said that including chess in the Olympic Games program is one of the organization’s major goals.

Addressing the Olympiad participants and organizers, the CEO of Freedom Holding Corp. described the national federations’ decision to elect him FIDE president as a sign of immense trust and significant responsibility.

«It is a great honor for me to close the 46th World Chess Olympiad as FIDE president. I would like to thank President Shavkat Mirziyoyev for his tremendous support of chess and this historic event, as well as Prime Minister Abdulla Aripov, the government of Uzbekistan, the Uzbekistan Chess Federation, the organizing committee and the FIDE team. Thank you to everyone who worked to make this Olympiad happen,» Turlov said.

According to Turlov, FIDE has a great deal of work ahead. He outlined several key tasks, including taking chess to a new level, strengthening the organization and increasing its transparency, and creating new opportunities for national federations.

«We will move toward our shared goal of chess at the Olympic Games. I am sincerely grateful for this support and fully recognize the responsibility placed upon me,» the newly elected FIDE president emphasized.

Turlov also pointed out that hosting the Olympiad in Central Asia for the first time is symbolic, given chess’s rising popularity in the region. According to him, the tournament results confirm a «chess boom,» and the event will further boost the development of chess in Uzbekistan and Central Asia.

In his closing remarks, the FIDE president thanked the organizers and participants and officially declared the 46th World Chess Olympiad closed.

On Sept. 26, Timur Turlov, president of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, was elected FIDE president in the second round of voting. The election took place during the organization’s General Assembly.

Following his election, Turlov also thanked President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev for supporting Kazakhstani chess.