Kazakhstan Chess Federation (KazChess) President Timur Turlov has officially announced that he will run for the post of International Chess Federation (FIDE) deputy president.
FIDE leadership elections will be held Sept. 26-27, 2026, in Samarkand during the organization’s General Assembly. During the same period, the city will also host the 46th Chess Olympiad.
Under FIDE rules, the president and deputy president run on a joint ticket. As a result, Turlov has joined the team of current FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, who is also seeking re-election.
«The results we have achieved over the past three and a half years have convinced me of one simple thing: our approach to chess in Kazakhstan works, and it can be scaled globally,» Turlov wrote on social media.
From chess in schools to record medal hauls
Turlov has served as KazChess president since 2023. With the support of Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and the federation, he launched a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s chess ecosystem.
During that time, KazChess has achieved significant results:
- Education: The «Chess in Education» program has reached more than 1,500 schools and over 60,000 students across Kazakhstan.
- Talent development: The country’s most promising players have been given the opportunity to train under renowned coaches and compete in leading international tournaments. In 2025 alone, Kazakhstani chess players won 162 medals at international competitions, including 64 golds.
- Digitalization: Since 2026, the federation has used a new accreditation system for chess schools and clubs. In addition, the unified digital platform KazChess ID is expected to launch soon.
Kazakhstan on the world stage
Turlov said he intends to bring Kazakhstan’s technological and digital expertise to FIDE while strengthening the country’s role on the global stage.
«The team I’m running with is truly international, and I represent the ‘middle power’ our president has spoken about on many occasions. My goal is to bring greater stability, balance and mutual understanding to FIDE. As a technology entrepreneur, I also believe I can help make the federation more digital. In that sense, I represent more than just myself. Kazakhstan today is a digitally advanced, technologically driven and resilient country. It is capable of building calm and balanced dialogue with everyone and is increasingly recognized around the world as a reliable partner,» Turlov said.
He also said he believes Kazakhstan’s technological expertise and stability can make a valuable contribution to international institutions.
