Timur Turlov Runs for FIDE Deputy President

Timur Turlov, President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation and CEO of Freedom Holding Corp., has announced his candidacy for the position of Deputy President of the International Chess Federation (FIDE). The election of FIDE’s new leadership will take place on September 26–27, 2026, during the organization’s General Assembly in Samarkand, alongside the 46th Chess Olympiad.

Under the FIDE Charter, the President and Deputy President are elected as part of a single ticket. Turlov has joined the team of incumbent FIDE President Arkady Dvorkovich, who is also seeking re-election.

Commenting on his decision, Turlov said that his candidacy is a natural continuation of the work he has been carrying out in Kazakhstan since 2023.

«The results we have achieved over the past three and a half years have convinced me of one simple thing: the approach we have applied in Kazakhstan works, and it can be scaled much further—to the global level of chess.»

Since Turlov became President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation, Kazakh players have won 448 medals at official international competitions, according to the federation. During this period, the federation also launched a comprehensive support program for young chess talents, including elite training, participation in international tournaments, and coaching by leading chess professionals.

The educational dimension of chess has also expanded significantly. More than 1,500 schools and over 60,000 students are now participating in the Chess in Education program, supported by President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. In 2026, the federation began introducing an accreditation system for chess schools and clubs and is preparing to launch KazChess ID, a digital platform designed to integrate the country’s chess ecosystem. Turlov has said that, if elected, he intends to focus on the digital transformation of FIDE and strengthening international cooperation.

Beyond Kazakhstan, Turlov has become one of the leading private supporters of global chess development. As CEO of Freedom Holding Corp., he allocates more than $15 million annually to chess initiatives worldwide. In 2025, he received Kazakhstan’s Best Sports Patron award and was decorated with the Order of Parasat.

Turlov has repeatedly described chess as one of the most effective tools for developing critical thinking. He is an active chess player himself and teaches the game to his children.

«Chess is a unique game. It shapes the way we think, teaches discipline and decision-making, and helps us understand the consequences of our actions. I say this not only as President of the Kazakhstan Chess Federation and the International School Chess Federation, but also as a father whose children play chess. Game after game, they learn patience, they learn how to win, and sometimes—how to lose with dignity.»

In April 2026, Freedom Holding Corp. acquired ChessBase, the developer of one of the world’s best-known chess software platforms and the largest database of chess games. The company announced plans to invest €5 million in the project and integrate ChessBase into the Freedom digital ecosystem, which now serves more than 14 million users, including the customer bases of its partner companies.